Press release
Minister Phelan opens new €1.131m Fire Station in Graiguenamanagh, Co. Kilkenny
From Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage
Published on
Last updated on
From Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage
Published on
Last updated on
Minister of State at the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government with special responsibility for Local Government and Electoral Reform, Mr. John Paul Phelan, T.D., was at Graiguenamanagh, Co. Kilkenny today (Monday 21 May 2018) to perform the official opening of a newly constructed fire station.
The overall development consists of a 2 bay station, training yard, lecture room, and staff facilities. Specific training installations include a drill tower, an underground water tank and training tunnel and breathing apparatus compressor room. This construction project was funded by a contribution of €1.131 million from the Department’s Fire Service Capital Programme following an application from Kilkenny County Council.
The Minister said, “this new station at Graiguenamanagh is excellently placed and designed to meet the requirements of our modern and developing fire service”, and “My Department has been and continues to work with Kilkenny County Council, upgrading and developing the facilities and equipment of Kilkenny Fire and Rescue Service. Over the last number of years my Department has fully funded new fire stations in Castlecomer, Freshford and Callan. This level of support is continuing with the approval of €1.1m in funding for the construction of a new fire station at Urlingford.”
Graiguenamanagh Fire Station is one of seven fire stations in the Kilkenny County Council local authority area. The station is base to a total of nine personnel. The Minister took the opportunity to acknowledge, on behalf of the Government, the work of Kilkenny Fire and Rescue Service as part of the local authority led response who worked tirelessly during and in the aftermath of Storms such as Ophelia and Emma to protect the public, their homes, business premises, etc.
The Minister also referred to the importance afforded by the Department to fire fighter health, safety and welfare and to the training that fire service personnel undergo: “To this end my Department continues to support the up-skilling of fire fighters through the Fire Service Central Training Programme, which supplements local training initiatives, in ensuring staff are trained to carry out tasks effectively and safely.”
In his concluding remarks, the Minister, thanked Kilkenny Fire and Rescue Service and in particular, Chief Fire Officer, John Collins: “The station is a credit to all involved in its development and completion” the Minister concluded.
ENDS