Over 25 fire stations in Ireland are to be developed or upgraded.

A total of 26 fire stations will undergo work as part of a €40m programme for the five year period, between 2016 - 2020.

The programme will see 16 new fire station construction projects initiated between now and 2020, along with 10 fire station upgrades / refurbishments.

Environment Minister Alan Kelly said: "My Department will provide just under €20 million in grant aid for these fire station projects. I am pleased to approve 16 new priority projects for Tuam, Kanturk, Virginia, Macroom, Cashel, Loughrea, Clonakilty, New Ross, Ballyjamesduff, Manorhamilton, Kilmacthomas, Castleblayney, Urlingford, Nobber, Crossmolina and Dunleer."

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"Subject to final agreement on scope and design these will be brought to tender and construction stage, on a phased basis, in the period up to the end of 2020. These projects are in addition to my approval last year to progress three new fire stations in Templemore, Co. Tipperary; Ferbane, Co. Offaly and Graiguenamanagh, Co. Kilkenny."

The Minister also gave details of 10 stations which will be upgraded in the same period to 2020. He said: "10 further stations will be upgraded under this programme, including Killarney, Ballinasloe, Dunshaughlin, Muine Bheag (Bagenalstown), Mountmellick, Mountrath, Ballinamore, Drumshanbo, Oldcastle and Kilkee."

(CD/LM)