Two new fire stations for county

Two new fire stations have been announced for Co Cavan as part of a new €40m nationwide construction programme for the five year period 2016-2020.

Its expected that the two new local fire stations, with another set for Castleblayney, Co Monaghan, will be delivered over the next three to four years.

The long-awaited announcement comes after years of campaigning in the respective towns for the new services. Both had been awaiting approval to go out to tender since approval was granted last year.

Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Heather Humphreys TD this morning (Monday, February 1) welcomed the announcement for her colleague Minister for the Environment, Alan Kelly TD.

Subject to final agreement on scope and design, the three new fire stations for the region will be brought to tender and construction stage, on a phased basis, in the period up to the end of 2020.

“This is fantastic news for Castleblaney, Ballyjamesduff and Virginia. The new local fire stations will be delivered over the next three to four years. Construction on the new station for Virginia is expected to start later this year, while the new stations in Ballyjamesduff and Castleblaney will be built in 2017 and 2019. They are all being treated as priority projects by the Department of Environment,” she said.

The announcement, for Virginia in particular, caps of a an incredible week for the South East Cavan town after recent news that a new library is also to be built in Virginia.

Minister Humphreys said the two developments will give the town “a huge boost”.

She added: “The Fire Services Capital Programme, run by the Department of Environment, supports the local fire authorities in the development and maintenance of a quality fire fighting and rescue service. This programme underlines and highlights this Government’s continuing commitment to the fire service.”