City needs new fire station

A suitable replacement for the ‘archaic’ fire station on Father Griffin Road must be progressed to meet the demands of a growing city, according to a government senator.

Senator Seán Kyne told the Seanad this week the existing station was of a by-gone era and sought clarity from the Minister of State for Local Government as to how plans to replace it were advancing.

“I know that fire personnel see some harrowing scenes in their daily work. Proper facilities are the least we can provide for our fire personnel.

“In Galway City, the fire station on Father Griffin Road is of its age and of an era. It has been described as archaic. The site has flooded in the past, does not have training facilities and is too small,” said Senator Kyne.

With a growing population of 80,000, the city needed a new station and Senator Kyne said he understood that a number of sites were under consideration.

“It needs a purpose-built, state-of-the-art, fit-for-purpose facility with proper training space. The City Council, in conjunction with the County Council which leads on fire services for the city and county, is engaged in an ongoing effort to find a suitable site within the city environs, preferably on City Council lands.

“Sites have been suggested near Bóthar na dTreabh, which has appropriate access to the road network in the city. The site at Father Griffin Road may be retained, subject to assessment, as an ancillary site for the immediate locality, especially as it is in the heart of the city and proximate to the River Corrib, which flows through the city,” he said.

Questioning Minister Peter Burke, Senator Kyne asked if the Department was engaging with the County Council over finding a site and if funding would be provided.

“What engagement is the Department having with the chief fire officer in Galway to push the project forward? I know the Department has done a lot of work and is working with the Council on the construction of fire stations in Loughrea and Athenry. However, Galway City, with a population of its size, needs a new, modern, fit-for-purpose facility to enhance the services it provides for the city and its environs and its engagement with other fire services in the county,” said the Fine Gael Senator.

Responding, Minister Burke said he was aware that his Department had been liaising with the City Council on the matter.

“The Department is aware that at present, Galway City Fire Station is operating in temporary facilities. The Senator has outlined very clearly the urgency attached to that. It is my understanding that Galway City Council is working with the fire services in Galway City to identify an appropriate site for a headquarters in the city.

“When an appropriate site is identified and if the potential project is submitted to my Department for funding, the project will be evaluated urgently for inclusion in the capital programme as outlined,” said the Junior Minister.

“We are now awaiting a submission from the Council. I can commit to the proposal being given serious consideration on the basis of the strong argument the Senator has made regarding the provision of a new facility.”