asked the Minister for Local Government whether he is satisfied with the efficiency of local fire fighting services throughout the country; and whether the training schemes at present in operation are sufficient.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Fire Fighting Services.
53.
Under the Fire Brigades Act, 1940, the fire service is provided and maintained by local sanitary authorities.
I am satisfied that the local authorities have made good progress to date in providing an efficient fire service, with modern buildings and standardised equipment, and that the process of improvement is continuing. Certain aspects of the fire service are being reviewed in the context of local government reorganisation generally.
As a result of the basic and further training schemes arranged by the Department, there are now 86 qualified instructors throughout the country and these will be of great help in improving further the efficiency of local brigades. These courses are being maintained and, in addition, more specialised courses for qualified instructors have been introduced. The question of the need for further courses is under constant review.
Can the Minister say whether he has seen the statement issued by the Chief Fire Officers' Association regarding the setting up of a national fire board and if he has seen the statement can he say whether he considers the setting up of such a board to be necessary and desirable?
These matters are under review and the Chief Fire Officers' Association are represented on the group that will be reviewing fire prevention measures in this country. This body will consider the need for legislation and for any improvements in the administration of the existing system.
Would the Minister not agree that the setting up of such a board is a matter of great urgency in view of the fact that in 1966 and 1967 there were approximately 20 deaths from fires while in 1970 and 1971 the figure was 42?
The matter is a very important one and always has been considered as such by my Department. The work that is being carried out by the Fire Officers' Association and the local authorities is urgent and necessary but I would not agree entirely with the Deputy's suggestion that the matter is any more urgent now than what it was, say, six months ago or at any other time in the past. The matter will receive top priority in the Department and I hope to be able to announce some fairly substantial improvements in the whole situation following the review. The review will be a comprehensive one but it is not completed yet.