€8.7 Million Fire Service Capital Plan approved for Waterford

• New Fire stations for Tallow and Kilmacthomas

• 6 new Fire Appliances & Support Vehicles

Minister of State for Planning & Local Government, John Cummins TD has today confirmed an allocation of €8.7m worth of funding to Waterford City & County Council, that will lead to the construction of brand-new state-of-the-art fire stations for two communities in County Waterford and the acquisition of fire tender appliances, support vehicles and equipment.

A new fire station will be constructed in Tallow in line with Waterford City and County Councils priority project list for the 2026-2030 fire services capital programme. This is in addition to Kilmacthomas Fire Station which has now commenced construction by local contractor Conor Plelan Ltd.

Waterford City and County Council has also been allocated funding for two new Class B fire appliances estimated to cost approximately €500,000 each, one new high reach aerial appliance estimated to cost €1.1 million and three support vehicles. as part of the largest capital funding plan for fire services nationwide.

The funding is part of the National Fire Services Capital Programme (2026–2030), developed by the National Directorate for Fire and Emergency Management (NDFEM), which 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 Cummins said: “I welcome the announcement of funding through the fire services capital programme for a new fire station at Tallow and the continued support for the new fire station at Kilmacthomas.  This long-term investment through the Department’s Fire Services Capital Programme not only ensures the ongoing development of the infrastructure of fire stations in Waterford, but also provides further investment in vehicle fleets, specialist equipment and command and control capability, reflecting the importance we place on fire safety of our communities. “

Waterford City & County Council were recently approved to accept the tender of Conor Phelan Ltd for the construction of the new fire station in Kilmacthomas, and works are expected to begin imminently while a new site has been identified for development in Tallow and everything is being done to progress this project and ensure its’ delivery.

Minister Cummins concluded: “This investment in the fire service will reinforce public safety in Waterford 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 funding will future proof the service they provide.”