Sinn Féin Finance Spokesperson Deputy Pearse Doherty has today welcomed confirmation from Donegal County Council that all information relating to the county’s Fire Service including charges and fees will soon be made available online.
The decision comes following a request from Deputy Doherty to make the information publicly accessible and to ensure that all charges for services are transparent and publicly known.
Deputy Doherty said:
“I very much welcome confirmation which I’ve received today from the Chief Executive of Donegal County Council that the authority will soon publish details of the various services provided by the county’s Fire Service on its website.
“Fire Services are provided by local authorities and, under the Fire Services Acts, council’s may charge for the services provided.
“There is no set call-out fee or standard charge for the various services which they provide to citizens as each local authority is responsible for imposing charges in their respective districts.
“Councils employ different criteria for the purpose of charging service users such as charging per hour, per fire fighter, per brigade or based on the time of day which the call out occurs.
“Some local authorities charge a flat rate for domestic fires such as chimney fires, while some seek the costs for commercial fires, forestry fires, false alarms and instances requiring specialised equipment.
“The confusing nature of the charging system has often led to many people questioning the rates in the past, while I have also heard of instances particularly involving older people who, because of the absence of information, have delayed contacting the emergency services for assistance over fears that they will face a hefty call-out charge which they’ll be unable to afford.
“In reality however those in receipt of welfare allowances and payments including OAPs are entitled to apply to have their fee reduced or waived through the council’s waiver reduction scheme, yet this information isn’t widely known.
“Fire Service personnel have also contacted me to express their concerns and have urged that all information relating the service, including charges, be published online and are easily accessible to the general public.
“Accordingly, I contacted the executive of Donegal County Council a few weeks ago to request that all these details be listed on the local authority website to ensure that fees are transparent and unequivocal.
“I’ve now received a reply from the council to state that my suggestion was favourably received by the Chief Fire Officer and that all necessary information relating to the service will now be published.
“I very much welcome the council’s decision on this matter and I hope that this development will allay people’s concerns over charges and will encourage them to report incidents which require assistance from the Fire Service and its highly trained personnel.”
