Minister says Rathdowney Fire Station proposal to be reassessed

A Laois TD requested an update on proposals for a new Rathdowney Fire Station. 

Fine Gael Deputy Charlie Flanagan raised the issue in a parliamentary question in the Dail earlier this week. 

He asked Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Darragh O’Brien  for an update on the provision of a new fire station in Rathdowney.

Minister O’Brien explained that he had announced the Fire Services Capital Programme for the period 2021-2025, with a funding allocation of €61m in 2020. 

“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 (is site acquired, etc.?); and 
• value for money offered by the proposal,” he said. 

“At this time, while Laois County Council have indicated their wish to replace Rathdowney Fire Station, they have prioritised the progression of their proposed project for Stradbally Fire Station, which I understand is in the final stages of the tender process. 

My Department continues to work with Laois County Council to advance work at Stradbally and will reassess the proposals for Rathdowney, along with projects from other fire services, as part of ongoing annual reviews of the Fire Services Capital Programme,” said Minister O’Brien.