Retained fire fighters to be allowed access to social welfare schemes – Coffey

Fine Gael Waterford Deputy, Paudie Coffey, has said that retained fire fighters will be able to access social protection support payments following a decision made by the Minister for Social Protection, Joan Burton TD. Deputy Coffey has met many of the retained fire fighters in Waterford who were anxious to have access to these supports re-instated and will be glad to hear that Minister Burton will be approving this measure in the Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2013 which will becoming before the Oireachtas soon.

“There are 220 retained fire stations in Ireland, with approximately 2,500 retained personnel. These stations serve their local communities on a 24/7 basis, 52 weeks a year. Retained fire fighters were not properly defined within the social protection system and the Minister has set about establishing a standardisation of the Social Welfare Scheme for them which will give them due recognition.

“Retained fire fighters do a hugely important job across the country and this has to be acknowledged. I am pleased that the Minister has recognised this and has decided to ensure that in the upcoming legislation to be published shortly, that retained fire fighters will have access to social protection schemes in the future.

“This problem has its roots in a decision from the early 1970s. When deputies, such as myself, brought this matter to the attention of the Minister in 2011, she sought to end this practice in a clear manner based on sound legislative footing. The services provided by retained fire fighters are essential and it is imperative that it is maintained for the safety and protection of society.

“I welcome the change in the legislation that will overturn an administrative decision of 1972 which meant there was a disregard for any day of fire fighting or training when determining the entitlements to job seeker’s benefit or allowance for retained fire-fighters.”

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