Fire services across Carlow receive a boost as new funding announced

BAGENALSTOWN Fire Station has been allocated €2.8 million for its refurbishment and upgrade as part of a wider investment in fire services infrastructure across the country.

The funding is part of the National Fire Services Capital Programme (2026-2030), which sets out a plan to modernise Ireland’s fire service fleet and wider capabilities. The programme will see €328.5 million invested over five years and represents the state’s largest-ever investment in the fire and emergency services.

Hacketstown Fire Station will also receive funding to upgrade its breathing apparatus training facilities. This will include replacing the traditional fuel source used to create training fires and, therefore, create a cleaner, more controlled training environment and reduce carcinogenic exposure to firefighters during training.

There has also been funding allocated to Hacketstown for upgrades to its compartment fire behaviour training facilities. Compartment fire behaviour training is an advanced and specialised area of firefighter training and refers to how fire develops, grows and behaves within an enclosed space, such as a corridor or a room.

Carlow Co Council has been allocated a new frontline fire appliance, worth €500,000, as part of a national roll-out, ensuring every fire authority receives at least one new vehicle. The appliance will come equipped with a high-capacity pump, hoses and a full complement of firefighting and rescue equipment, capable of responding to a wide range of emergencies, including structure fires and road traffic collisions.

Minister for housing, local government and heritage James Browne said the investment “ensures our fire services will have a modern fleet, upgraded facilities and equipment required to meet the challenges they face.

“This investment in the fire service will reinforce public safety in Carlow and ensure that our critical infrastructure and essential services are protected,” minister Browne said.

Fianna Fáil TD for Carlow/Kilkenny deputy Peter ‘Chap’ Cleere echoed minister Browne’s comments and said the investment was important to ensure fire services could meet the challenges of a changing Ireland.

“This investment is about future-proofing our fire services,” deputy Cleere said. “With more severe weather events, growing populations and increasingly complex emergencies, this funding comes at the right time,” he added.