Fire service charges effective from April 1st, 2024
| Chimney Fires | €300 Flat Rate per Call |
| Domestic Incidents | €450 per hour (Minimum of €450) (Maximum of €2,000) |
| Road Traffic Accidents (RTAs) | Cost of Wages plus 30% |
| Incidents Involving Commercial Premises, Industrial, Assembly & Recreational & Institutions (Excluding Item 6 below) | Cost of Wages plus 30% |
| All other Fires and Services (Excluding RTAs) | Cost of Wages plus 30% |
| False Alarm Activations | 1. 1st attendance within 12 Months €300 Flat Rate – Commercial €100 Flat Rate – Domestic 2. Subsequent Attendance within 12 months – Cost of Wages plus 30% |
| Equipment/Services Where a charge has been incurred by the Council for the supply of equipment and/or services that is beyond the normal working capabilities of the Fire Service, that charge will be passed onto the persons benefiting from the service. | Cost of Equipment/Services Incurred by the Council |
| Other Local Authority | Cost of Wages, plus 30% Administration |
| Letter/Certificate issued to applicants or applicants Solicitor under Section 24,Fire Services Act, 1981 | €250 |
| Dangerous Substances Licence Applications Administration Fee (Note this administration fee does not include fees to accompany the application under the Dangerous Substances (Licencing Fees) Regulations, 1979. (S.I. No. 301 of 1979)) | €250 |
Notes:
1. Road Traffic Accidents – It is not the role of this Fire Authority to determine fault, all vehicles at the scene are billed for the amount due. Payment from the party at fault will remove liability for the payment of charges from the other parties invoiced.
2. Insurance – You may be insured against the cost incurred resulting from fire brigade attendance. You should contact your insurance company who will advise you. Contact details of the main insurance companies are detailed below:
| Allianz | 1890 779 999 |
| Zurich Ireland | 1890 208 408 |
| FBD | 1890 953 953 |
| Liberty Insurance | 1850 858 530 |
| AXA | 1890 247 365 |
| RSA | 1890 924 228 1890 290 100 |
| Aviva | 1890 666 888 |
3. Application for Waiver
- The initial step in this process is for the person to check with their Insurance Company for relevant cover. Waiver applications will only be considered on receipt of a letter from the insurance company stating that the applicant’s invoice is not covered under the terms and conditions of their insurance.
- Eligibility for waiver is based on the following net weekly income rates per household (in the event of a fire or individual in the event of a RTA and are the Max. State Pension Contributory Rates 2024):
- Person Living Alone: €277.30 per week
- Household income for two or more adults: €525.90 per week
- Additional income of €46.00 (under 12 years and €54.00 (aged 12 and over) is allowable for each dependent child (under 18 or 18-22 living at home in full-time education with no independent means).
The following documentation is required to support hardship cases:
- A completed Application Form for Waiver/Reduction in charges
- A signed declaration of the weekly household income (in the event of a fire) or individual income (in the event of an RTA)
- In certain cases documentary evidence to support the claim such as bank account statements, statement from accountant, determination of hardship by another public body, welfare receipts etc. may be required.
4. Payment Plans
Where a person or household is unable to pay the amount due a payment plan is put in place. This payment plan can be agreed over the phone or such other medium as long as it is ultimately confirmed in writing. The Council may also agree to meet with the claimant, if requested to do so. In general, a payment plan shall be designed to ensure that the liability is discharged as early as possible and in a timeline that the claimant can reasonably achieve.
As a general rule, however, it will be desirable that the liability to the shall be discharged over a maximum of 3 years.,
Further Appeal
Should an initial claim be rejected by the Council, the claimant should be informed as soon as possible and should be afforded, if requested, a further appeal to the Director of Services, Transportation and Emergency Service & Information Systems. Should a subsequent appeal be unsuccessful the complainant should be notified as early as is possible.
Where hardship is not accepted
Where hardship is not accepted by the local authority, the claimant should be notified accordingly as soon as possible and any necessary follow-up action initiated.
5. Correspondence – All correspondence must be in writing