Dublin to get two new fire stations in record €328m national investment
Dublin is set for two new fire stations as part of Ireland's largest ever investment in fire and emergency services.
Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage James Browne TD today announced a record €328.5m nationwide in the most extensive fire station redevelopment plan in the state’s history. This includes an estimated €16.4m each for new stations at Alfie Byrne Road and Clonburris.
Dublin Fire Brigade have also been allocated three new Class B fire appliances at an approximate cost of €1.5 million with funding approved for a further nine support vehicles at an approximate cost of €575,000. The entire programme represents a comprehensive plan to modernise Ireland’s fire service fleet, infrastructure, training capability and communications systems and was developed by the National Directorate for Fire and Emergency Management (NDFEM).
With €178.6m being invested in building or refurbishing 39 fire stations across the country, this includes new stations in Dublin, Galway and Cork , along with a major redevelopment planned for Dundalk Fire Station. Three fire authority headquarters will be redeveloped in Ennis, Kilkenny and Navan and 31 retained fire stations will be replaced or refurbished.
This will address documented deficiencies, including inadequate space, outdated facilities, and implementation of modern mitigants of exposure to products of combustion on return to station post-incident. Local authorities have submitted priority projects, and smaller renovations will be considered on a case-by-case basis, with additional funding also provided for fire station backup generators to ensure operational continuity during severe weather and power outages
“This programme represents a significant investment in the safety, resilience and wellbeing of communities across Ireland. It ensures our fire services across the country will have a modern fleet, upgraded facilities and equipment required to meet the challenges they face, with a changing climate, a growing population and increasingly complex emergency risks,” Minister Brown stated.
“This investment in the fire service will reinforce public safety in our communities and ensure that our critical infrastructure and essential services are protected. Having fire services that are recognised as dependable, well trained and well equipped is crucial to the communities they serve and this injection of significant funding will future proof the service they provide.”
Fianna Fáil TD for Dublin Bay North, Tom Brabazon welcomed the allocation of €32.8m for fire station infrastructure in Dublin, stating the significant investment will “make a real difference on the ground.” He said: “These projects will ensure our firefighters have access to modern, fit-for-purpose facilities as they continue their vital work protecting people, homes and businesses across the community.
“This is about making sure our fire services are properly equipped for the years ahead. With more extreme weather, growing communities and increasingly complex incidents, this level of investment is both necessary and timely.”
Independent TD Barry Heneghan stated that the new station at Alfie Byrne Road, which will replace the current North Strand fire station, represents "a major and long overdue investment in critical emergency infrastructure for Dublin Bay North and the wider city." He said the nationwide investment showcases a commitment to "strengthening frontline response capacity."
"The new headquarters will play a vital role in supporting our fire and emergency services, ensuring they have the modern facilities, equipment and operational capacity needed to respond quickly and effectively to emergencies. As our communities grow and risks evolve, it is essential that our infrastructure keeps pace," he said.
"I have consistently highlighted the need for stronger infrastructure and public service investment on Dublin’s Northside, and this announcement is a significant step forward. It will directly support the incredible work of our firefighters, who provide an essential service to our communities every single day. I will continue to engage closely to ensure this project is delivered as quickly as possible and that our local fire services receive the full support they need."
€86.9 million will be invested in the national fire fleet. With 40 new fire appliances allocated across the twenty seven fire authorities - representing at least one new appliance for each fire authority, with funding set aside for a further allocation later in the programme.
Key investments include funding for:
The programme of works includes €29.5 million toward upgrading fire service national training capabilities. Various sites, including Dublin’s Fire Brigade Training Centre The O'Brien Institute will receive upgraded breathing apparatuses, as well as upgraded compartment fire behaviour training facilities
A virtual reality simulation suite at the existing fire Services Learning and Development Centre in Tullamore for advanced incident command training will be constructed. €23 million is going toward frontline and specialist response equipment such as new high capacity pumps, urban search and rescue equipment, road traffic collision tools, and PPE costs.
The programme will fund €10.5m toward the final rollout of the new National Mobilisation and Communications System (NMACS) that will see full implementation of the upgraded fire service 999/112 call taking platform, replacing legacy systems across Dublin, Limerick and Castlebar. The Department states this investment will deliver a unified, resilient national dispatch system across the three dedicated fire service regional control centres for the first time.
This content is funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme