The sixteen year long delay to the construction of a new fire station in Rathdowney has been raised in the Seanad.

In 2009, Laois County Council purchased a site for a new fire station in the town, and this site remains undeveloped.

The current fire station was built in 1954, and lacks the appropriate space and facilities for firefighters and their vehicles.

Currently, there are no female changing facilities in the station, while Rathdowney has the highest amount of female firefighters in the county.

Pictured: Rathdowney fire station, April 2025. Photo: Google Maps

Sinn Féin Senator Maria McCormack has called on the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage to urgently progress the long-delayed project, speaking after raising the issue as a Commencement Matter in the Seanad, Senator McCormack.

“It is completely unacceptable that sixteen years after the site was bought, the people of Rathdowney are still waiting for a new fire station," the Senator said.

"The current building was constructed in 1954 and is no longer fit for purpose. It was built for a single jeep and a small mobile pump, yet today it’s expected to house three vehicles, including two large fire tenders. Crews struggle to manoeuvre engines in and out of a narrow street, and that delays response times when every second counts," she said.

Senator McCormack said the conditions for firefighters inside the station are 'equally unacceptable'.

Pictured: Laois Fire Service in October, 2025

“The changing area is barely three metres square, there is only one shower for the entire crew, and there is no parking available for firefighters," the Senator argued.

"In this day and age, it is simply not acceptable that women firefighters do not have their own private space to change or shower. That is a matter of basic dignity, equality and safety.”

"This is totally unacceptable, to leave them with no privacy when getting changed in emergency situations where every minute counts to save lives."

The Sinn Féín senator added that Laois County Council has made the Rathdowney station 'its number-one fire services capital priority', and have submitted an application to the Department for approval.

Read More: Cramped old Laois Fire Station 'slows' response to emergencies

“This project is shovel-ready. The site is there, the plans exist, and the community is waiting," Senator McCormack said.

"The Minister must now move beyond reviews and reports and give the green light for construction to begin. Rathdowney’s firefighters serve South Laois and respond to incidents across parts of Tipperary, Offaly and Kilkenny. They protect our communities — it’s time we deliver the facilities they deserve," she finished.

Senator McCormack confirmed that she will be seeking 'a clear timeline and commitment' from the Department to ensure that the station is included in the 2026–2030 Fire Services Capital Programme and fast-tracked to delivery.

Read Next: Age friendly parking bays introduced in busy Rathdowney square