Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 22 January 2026
213. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will commit to providing funding for an updated fire station in Glencolmcille, County Donegal; the timeline for when it will be provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5054/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe provision of a fire service in its functional area, including the establishment and maintenance of a fire brigade, the assessment of fire cover needs and the provision of fire station premises, is a statutory function of individual fire authorities under the Fire Services Acts, 1981 and 2003.
My Department supports the fire authorities through setting general policy, providing a central training programme, issuing guidance on operational and other related matters and providing capital funding for equipment and priority infrastructural projects.
In correspondence with my Department, Donegal County Council has indicated two new priority fire station projects. Those projects identified in order of the Council's priority are, an amalgamation of Ballyshannon/Bundoran fire stations at Finner and a new station at Glencolmcille. I understand a site has been identified within the Council's ownership at Finner for the proposed amalgamation project, while no new site has yet been identified for the proposed Glencolmcille project. My Department recently conveyed approval in principle for Donegal County Council to progress the proposed new fire station at a council owned site in Finner.
My Department will work closely with Donegal County Council to progress their identified priority infrastructural projects, within the context of the totality of requests from fire authorities countrywide for capital funding.
