€19.45 Million to Transform Cork's Fire Services in Historic National Investment

Cork is set to benefit from almost €19.5 million in new funding for fire stations and emergency vehicles as part of the largest ever State investment in Ireland's fire and emergency services.

The announcement was made today by Minister of State for Nature, Heritage and Biodiversity, Christopher O'Sullivan TD, as part of the landmark €328.5 million National Fire Services Capital Programme (2026–2030), developed by the National Directorate for Fire and Emergency Management (NDFEM).

The Cork allocation includes €13 million for a new fire station in Cork City West, €3.2 million for a new station in Dunmanway, and €3 million for a new station in Mitchelstown. A further €250,000 has been set aside to refurbish the existing fire station in Crosshaven.

In addition to the station works, Cork County Council has been allocated three new Class B fire appliances at approximately €500,000 each, while Cork City Council has been allocated one new Class B appliance of the same value.

Minister O'Sullivan said the Department has been working closely with Cork County Council on upgrading fire facilities across the county for a number of years, with new stations already completed in Kanturk, Macroom and Clonakilty.

Minister O'Sullivan said:

"The Department has been and continues to work with Cork County Council, upgrading and developing the facilities and equipment of Cork County Fire and Rescue Service. Over the last number of years the Fire Services Capital Programme has fully funded new fire stations in Kanturk, Macroom and Clonakilty, which I had the pleasure to officially open earlier this year. This level of support is continuing with the approval of funding for the construction of new fire stations at Dunmanway and Mitchelstown and refurbishment works to the Crosshaven station.

These improved facilities will help to ensure the continued delivery of an effective emergency and fire safety response to the community for generations to come."

He added:

"This programme represents a significant investment in the safety, resilience and wellbeing of communities across Ireland, including Cork city and County. It ensures our fire services 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 Cork City and County 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."

The five-year capital programme is designed to modernise Ireland's fire service fleet, infrastructure, training capability and communications systems, with investment targeted at responding to increasing severe weather events, wildland fires, industrial hazards, urban growth and national-level emergencies.