Sinn Féin Councillor Conor D. McGuinness has said that Waterford is one of only two local authorities in the state not to have received any funding under the €61m Fire Services Capital Programme during the period 2019 – 2024, according to figures released to Sinn Féin by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. He said questions need to be answered over the apparent failure by Waterford City and County Council to secure any capital funding for its network of fires stations over the last five years, and over the Council’s long-term plans for the fire service.
McGuinness said:
“The revelation that Waterford City and County Council has not received a single cent in capital funding raises very serious questions for Council management and indeed for the Department. It beggars belief that Waterford hasn’t availed of any investment out of a total fund exceeding €60 million.
“Many of fire stations around Co. Waterford are in desperate need of upgrading and expansion. I have visited most of the stations over recent months and its quite clear that the majority of stations could do with significant work. In some cases there is a need for significant structural works to protect the fabric of the building – in other cases there needs to be expansion to enable personnel the space to do their work. Some stations do not have facilities for firefighters to shower, change and debrief after a call – something that takes on an extra importance following a tragic or difficult call.
“Our firefighters have been treated appallingly by Government, having been forced into industrial action last year. It is utterly unfair that personnel serving in some of our fire stations do not have an adequate place from which to do their hugely important and valuable work.
“I am interested to know if Waterford City and County Council submitted any applications for funding over the past five years, and why there is no plan to address the very real deficit in our fire service infrastructure across Waterford.
“What is the long-term plan for our fire service, and why are councillors, firefighters and the public being kept in the dark?”
Conor D. McGuinness TD 