Brian O'Shea (Waterford, Labour)
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Question 584: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government further to Question No. 511 of 28 February 2006, the criteria which will be applied to prioritise applications under the 2006 fire services capital programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9062/06]

Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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Over the past 25 years, almost €240 million has been provided under the fire services capital programme for the provision of new and refurbished fire stations and the purchase of fire appliances and other equipment. At this stage, more than two-thirds of our fire stations, including almost all of the busiest stations, have been replaced, we have a modern fleet of front-line fire appliances and a modern emergency response communications system. Against this background, requests submitted by fire authorities for funding for the building or refurbishment of fire stations are considered on a case-by-case basis having regard to the existing facilities, the level of activity, the proximity of other fire stations, the fire authority's priorities and the competing demands of other fire authorities for the available funding. A balance is also maintained between funding for fire station projects and for new fire appliances and other equipment.