Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 28 April 2026
741. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether fire service personnel who assist in cross-Border co-operation in the 26 counties can receive recognitions/awards in this State. [30898/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra746. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the awards or recognition that can be presented to members of the Fire Service; and whether any of these can be presented to those working in the Northern Fire Service who engage in cross-Border operations. [31029/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 741 and 746 together.
The 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 & 2003. My Department, primarily through the National Directorate for Fire & Emergency Management (NDFEM), 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.
The Irish fires services, both retained and full-time, are highly-trained, elite frontline services, staffed by dedicated and selfless people who respond to a range of emergency scenarios, in support of the communities they serve.
The efforts of our firefighters save lives, prevents damage to residential and commercial property, protects critical infrastructure and safeguards the environment. The work of our fire crews is both physically challenging and psychologically demanding. I wish to take this opportunity to place on record my appreciation of the vital contribution made to our society by the men and women of the local authority fire services.
In 1992, recognition of long service for personnel in the local authority fire services was launched. There are four categories of awards, marking service of ten years, twenty years, thirty years and forty years. The ten-year award is a certificate presented locally, while the twenty, thirty and forty year awards all involve the presentation of medals and certificates at a national ceremony.
The first national awards presentation was organised in 1998 and a national presentation ceremony is generally held on a bi-annual basis. These awards honour the service of firefighters within the 27 fire authorities.
