Tony Killeen (Clare, Fianna Fail)

I thank the Senator for raising this matter, to which I am responding on behalf of the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government.

I appreciate the significant contribution which fire services have made and continue to make each day in safeguarding our communities. I am glad to record the Government's commitment to the fire service in terms of modernisation and financial investment.

The provision of a fire service in its functional area, including the establishment and maintenance of a fire brigade, the assessment of fire cover needs and the provision of fire station premises, is a statutory function of individual fire authorities under section 10 of the Fire Services Act 1981. The role of the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government is one of supporting and assisting local authorities in delivering fire services through the setting of general policy and the provision of funding under the fire service capital programme which supports local fire authorities in the development and maintenance of a quality firefighting and rescue service. It also provides funding for the construction and upgrading of fire stations, as well as the procurement of fire appliances and specialised equipment.

There have been significant improvements affecting all areas of the fire service in recent years, including enhanced structures to provide stronger leadership at national level, allied with local delivery through the establishment of the national directorate for fire and emergency management; increased investment in infrastructure and equipment; and further development of training and the provision of improved communications infrastructure. The Government strongly supports the valuable work being done in the development of both the full-time and retained fire service.

A modern and efficient fire service provides an important service for the community. Kerry County Fire Service has ten fire stations and responds to approximately 1,330 call-outs annually. Since 2002 some €4.7 million has been provided in grant aid for the council for the provision of new stations and appliances and equipment. The recent refurbishment and extension of Tralee headquarters fire station was supported by the provision of €1.8 million from the Department's fire service capital programme. In addition, since 1998, the council has been approved to purchase 12 new fire appliances and two combined aerial appliances.

The station in Kenmare was built in 1977 and responds to some 60 call-outs per year. Provision was made in the 2005 capital programme for a new fire station in the town. In 2008 approval was conveyed to the council to proceed to the planning stage in respect of the project. The Department also requested that an updated cost plan be prepared and submitted before the project proceeded to statutory planning. It is understood planning permission for the project was granted in March 2008. The provision of funding by the Department for the project will be considered in future capital programmes within the constraints of available resources and in the context of the fire authority's priorities, the spread of existing facilities and the totality of demands from other fire authorities for available funding.

I hope I have been able to clarify the issue for the Senator.