ENNIS FIRE station is to undergo an €8 redevelopment.
As part of the State’s largest ever investment in fire and emergency services, €8m has been set aside for the redevelopment of the county fire services headquarters located on the New Rd in Ennis.
Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage James Browne (FF) confirmed the allocation on Tuesday morning. In addition, one new Class B fire appliance costing approximately €500,000 has been allocated to Clare County Council under the plan for fire services nationwide.
Under the National Fire Services Capital Programme (2026–2030), developed by the National Directorate for Fire and Emergency Management (NDFEM), a total of €328.5m will be spent to modernise Ireland’s fire service fleet, infrastructure, training capability and communications systems to meet the evolving risks facing communities nationwide.
According to Minister Browne, “This investment in the fire service will reinforce public safety in Clare 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”.
Clare TD, Cathal Crowe (FF) said the allocation marked “a landmark day for emergency services” in the county and that “a state of the art base” will be provided for firefighters in Ennis. “Having grown up in a household where the fire service was a way of life my father, Mike, is a retired firefighter from the Limerick City Fire Service, I have a profound, lifelong respect for the bravery and selflessness of those who wear the uniform. The firefighters in Clare are the backbone of our community safety, often putting themselves in harm’s way to protect us. They deserve the very best equipment and facilities we can provide”.
Minister of State, Timmy Dooley (FF) labelled it as “a significant investment”. He stated, “This redevelopment will ensure that our fire personnel have modern, fit-for-purpose facilities to support the critical work they do every day across Clare. Alongside that, the allocation of a new fire appliance will strengthen frontline response capacity and ensure crews have the equipment they need to respond quickly and effectively”.
He added, “Fire services are dealing with more complex incidents than ever before, from severe weather events to road traffic collisions and industrial risks. This investment is about making sure Clare is properly equipped to meet those challenges. It is also about supporting the firefighters themselves, who provide an essential service to communities right across the county Clare has a strong and highly respected fire service, and this investment will ensure it continues to serve communities across the county to the highest standard for years to come”.
