Laois firefighters join protest to demand fair deal

A claimed urgent need to address the current staffing difficulties for firefighters in Laois and Offaly has been highlighted in the Dáil on the same day as TDs and others faced a protest outside Leinster House.

Retained firefighters from Laois and all over Ireland held a “demonstration of frustration” in Dublin on November 16 looking for more time off, guaranteed wages and more recruits.

The National Retained Firefighters Association of Ireland said the protest was “borne out of the pure frustration" due to a lack of engagement.

Laois Offaly Sinn Féin TD Brian Stanley was among those who met the firefighters and he subsequently raised what he called was a 'retention crisis' with Darragh O’Brien, Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage of Ireland in the Dáil chamber. He called on the Minister to address the problems which are acute in relation to retained part-time fighters.

"Correspondence from the National Retained Firefighters Association outlines that the current staffing level is now at crisis point," said Dep Stanley.

He continued: "The service is no longer fit for purpose. Sixty percent of staff intend to retire or exit in the near future. We are at crisis point due to the failure of Governments to engage with the firefighters' representatives. There is a danger to the safety of both firefighters and the public," he said.

He highlighted pay.

“Pay and conditions have deteriorated to the point where crews now feel they have no option but to consider, reluctantly, industrial action. Ballot returns show that 97% in some areas favour industrial action. This is indicative of the crisis we face, he said.

Dep Stanley said firefighters must work extra hours and forego family time, and the retainer pay they receive does not come close to compensating them for their sacrifices.

He also put the spotlight on his own constituency.

"Staff shortages are critical across the State, including Laois and Offaly. I have raised this with the Taoiseach on the floor of the Dáil. New recruits are not entering the service. We need a solution quickly. Crews are on call 24/7 in the various areas and are in understaffed stations.

"In Rathdowney, for example, the crew is down to five people, although there are supposed to be nine at a minimum. In Abbeyleix, it is down to six. That is the situation we are in. I want the Department to prioritise new fire stations for Rathdowney and Stradbally. However, unless we address the staffing issues, increased capital investment in new stations and modern equipment will be meaningless,’’ he said.

The TD said his party is calling for the establishment of an all-party joint committee to work together to have an independent review of fire services which would consult all stakeholders and examine pay and conditions, management and rosters. He said this review should be completed within four months. 

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The TD met added that he welcomed the retained firefighters who travelled to Dublin to make their case make their case. He said politicians must act on what they are saying.

The NRFA said they had a good turn out and spoke with a lot of TDs from various parties as well as independents. They said this is only the start pressure on all our local TDs must be maintained.