Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage James Browne TD has announced the State’s largest ever investment in fire and emergency services in the landmark €328.5 million Fire Services Capital Programme (2026–2030).
The programme, developed by the National Directorate for Fire and Emergency Management (NDFEM), sets out a comprehensive plan to modernise Ireland’s fire service fleet, infrastructure, training capability and communications systems to meet the evolving risks facing communities nationwide.
Minister Browne emphasised:
“This programme represents a significant investment in the safety, resilience and wellbeing of communities across Ireland. It ensures our fire services across the country will have a modern fleet, upgraded facilities and equipment required to meet the challenges they face, with a changing climate, a growing population and increasingly complex emergency risks.
This investment in the fire service will reinforce public safety in our communities and ensure that our critical infrastructure and essential services are protected. Having fire services that are recognised as dependable, well trained and well equipped is crucial to the communities they serve and this injection of significant funding will future proof the service they provide.”
Over the next five years:
- €178.6 million will be invested in building or refurbishing 39 fire stations across the country. This includes new fire stations in Dublin, Galway and Cork cities with a major redevelopment planned for Dundalk Fire Station in Co Louth. Three fire authority headquarters will be redeveloped in Ennis, Kilkenny and Navan. Plus, thirty one retained fire stations will be replaced or refurbished
- €86.9 million will be invested in the national fire fleet. With 40 new fire appliances allocated across the twenty seven fire authorities – representing at least one new appliance for each fire authority, with funding set aside for a further allocation later in the programme.
- A €29.5 million programme of works upgrading fire service national training capabilities will be delivered.
- €23 million is being invested in frontline and specialist response equipment and;
- €10.5 million is being invested in the national mobilisation and communications system.
The capital programme is designed to ensure Ireland’s fire services can respond effectively to:
- Increasing severe weather events,
- Wildland fires,
- Industrial hazards,
- Urban growth and complex infrastructure and;
- National level emergencies requiring coordinated response.