Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 2 July 2026
339. Deputy John Connolly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage for an update on the development of a new fire station in Galway city; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50572/26]
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 & 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.
Project consideration stages from a Department perspective include submission of preliminary and detailed appraisals; submission of design brief; selection of a site; application for approval in principle; appointment of design consultants; submission of a preliminary design; planning application; submission of a preliminary cost plan, detailed design and cost plans; and tender process and construction stages - each step subject to approval from my Department.
In April 2026, I announced the Fire Services Capital Programme for the period 2026-2030, with a funding allocation of €328.5m. Following extensive engagement with fire authorities, a number of proposals for station works etc. were received. The proposals were evaluated and prioritised on the basis of the:
• Area Risk Categorisation of the fire station (population, fire risks, etc.);
• established Health and Safety needs;
• state of development of the project;
• value for money offered by the proposal; and
• the totality of requests from all authorities.
Following submissions from Galway County Council Fire & Rescue Service, a new fire station for Galway City has been prioritised for funding under the Fire Services Capital Programme 2026 – 2030. A Council owned site for the new fire station has been identified and in April 2026, Galway County Council was approved by my Department to progress the new Galway City fire station project to detailed design and cost plan stage.
My Department will work closely with Galway County Council to progress their identified priority infrastructural projects during the lifetime of the fire service Capital programme 2026 -2030, within the context of the totality of requests from fire authorities countrywide for capital funding.
