“A clear timeline is required for delivery of the new fire station at Clara" - TD

Independent TD for Laois Offaly Carol Nolan has been informed by the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Darragh O’Brien that his Department will continue to support Offaly County Council to progress the new Clara fire station project.

Deputy Nolan had sought an update on the matter from the Minister, specifically around when the new station would become operational and if he would expedite the works needed there as a matter of urgency.

In his response to the Independent TD, Minister O’Brien confirmed that Offaly County Council has now submitted a design brief and invitation to tender documents for the design of the proposed fire station and that following the evaluation of this information, his Department has issued approval to the council to proceed to the tender stage for the provision of design services.

According to the Minister, Offaly County Council is confident of progressing to the detailed design stage of the project in a short timeframe, aiming to move as quickly as possible through the necessary phases to progress the construction of a new station for Clara.

“While I welcome the ongoing commitment to the delivery of this project, I am also aware that we still have no definite timeline, despite the fact that the Clara fire station project was included in the Fire Services Capital Programme 2021 – 2025 in November of 2023 after I pressed the matter with the Department,” said Deputy Nolan.

“We need more than vague assurances around ‘short timeframes.’ We need delivery and a new working fire station.”

“I will continue to engage on this issue with the Minister and indeed with Offaly County Council,” Deputy Nolan concluded.