Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
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Question 474: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the applications his Department has received for funding for the provision of new fire stations and new fire fighting equipment from local authorities for each of the past three years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9747/04]

Pat Gallagher (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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Applications for approval in principle to proposals for 14 new replacement fire stations were received in my Department in the years 2001-03 and details are set out in table 1. It should be noted that funding decisions are not made until projects are approved to invite tenders. My Department has also initiated a review, with fire authorities, of all proposed station projects, along with those in planning, with regard to obtaining the best outcome from the station construction programme. My Department also, in certain cases, provides funding for extensions and refurbishments to stations where such work will enable the existing station to be brought up to modern standards without the need for a new station.

Over the past three years, the level of capital funding recouped in grants to the fire service for stations, appliances and equipment totalled over €57 million. In that period 16 new replacement fire station projects were completed with four projects in progress at the end of 2003. A further five projects are due to commence construction shortly. In addition, four extensions or improvement projects were completed with a further two due to commence this year.

In regard to the new fire appliance element of the fire services capital programme, the Department determines approvals to seek tenders for new appliances having regard to the information available in relation to the age and condition of appliance fleets throughout the country, level of activity and having regard to the funds available to the programme, rather than seeking applications for new appliances. In the last three years approval was granted to fire authorities to invite tenders for 92 new fire appliances.

While fire authorities are expected to make provision for their ongoing equipment needs, including replacement and maintenance requirements, my Department funds on a case by case basis specialist or urgent applications for equipment needs, e.g. road traffic accident equipment, second hand fire appliances, water tankers, chemical protection suits, etc. In the past three years 49 applications for funding for new equipment such as detailed above have been received in my Department and details are also set out in table 2.

The 2004 allocation for the fire services capital programme is €19 million and this investment will ensure the continued development and modernisation of the fire service.