€15.8m investment in Meath Fire Service

A massive €15.8 million investment in fire services in Meath, including a a major expansion of the Navan Fire Station Headquarters has been announced.

The new €13 million facility at Navan will provide a modern headquarters with ten appliance bays on the existing site, with a rapid emergency exit onto the N51.

A further €2.8 million has been allocated for upgrade works at Oldcastle Fire Station and for one new fire appliance for county.

“This is a very significant investment in the safety and resilience of our communities," said Cllr Wayne Harding, Cathaoirleach of Meath County Council. “The upgrade of Navan Fire Station HQ in particular reflects its strategic importance as the county’s principal fire headquarters and ensures our firefighters have facilities that match the critical role they perform every day.”

Meath County Council Chief Executive Kieran Kehoe added: “The confirmation of funding recognises the extensive preparatory work already carried out by Meath County Council. These projects will enhance operational effectiveness, firefighter welfare, and emergency response times, while future-proofing services for a growing county.”

Construction work is expected to start on the Navan fire station in 2027. It will include 10 appliance bays, including double-length bays and dedicated maintenance space, improved training, welfare, operational and control facilities, enhanced site access and rapid emergency response on to the N51 as well as capacity for future expansion to meet population growth and service demand.

Navan Fire Station has been identified as a national priority project for the period 2026–2030. The project will deliver a replacement headquarters on the existing site, ensuring continuity of service throughout the construction phase.

A detailed feasibility and concept design has already been completed by Meath County Council, demonstrating the authority’s preparedness to advance the project.

The €2.8 million for Oldcastle Fire Station will provide for refurbishment and upgrade works to improve resilience and operational capacity in the north-west of the county.

Meath County Council has also been allocated funding for one new fire appliance, further strengthening frontline response capability.

The announcement by Housing and Local government Minister, James Browne, forms part of a national €328.5 million Fire Services Capital Programme, the largest investment in fire service infrastructure ever made by the State, aimed at strengthening emergency response capacity, improving firefighter safety, and ensuring stations are fit for purpose for the communities they serve.

The Fire Services Capital Programme 2026–2030 provides funding for fire stations, appliances and specialist equipment across all local authority fire services, supporting the implementation of the national Fire Services Development and Performance Framework.

The capital programme is designed to ensure Ireland’s fire services can respond effectively to increasing severe weather events, wildland fires, industrial hazards, urban growth and complex infrastructure and national‑level emergencies requiring coordinated response.

Minister Browne said: “This programme represents a significant investment in the safety, resilience and wellbeing of communities across Ireland, including Meath. 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 Meath 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.”

Senator Linda Nelson Murray said she was delighted to see this funding for emergency services in Navan and Oldcastle.

"This investment ensures our fire services will have access to the modern tools, facilities and systems they need.

“We want our firefighters to have the best facilities possible to deal with serious issues right across our communities in Co Meath.

"This funding is part of a total €328.5 million under the Fire Services Capital Programme. €178.6 million will be invested in building or refurbishing 39 fire stations across the country and €86.9 million will be invested in the national fire fleet.

"It will help fire services deal with increasing severe weather events, wildland fires, and urban growth.

“Our fire and emergency services are reliable and hardworking; it is vital that they have the facilities they need to best serve the community.

“This is a major investment in the safety and resilience of our communities across Co Meath,” concluded Senator Nelson Murray