Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 620: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if it is his or the local authority whose responsibility it is to set up a full-time fire service in a county. [25432/07]

Tony Killeen (Clare, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

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, the provision of a premises and the making of such other provisions as it considers necessary or desirable, is a statutory function of individual fire authorities under section 10 of the Fire Services Act 1981. The Department has no direct role in the matter.

The Department's role is one of supporting and assisting local authorities in delivering fire services through the setting of general policy and the provision of capital funding. Under the Fire Services Change Programme a risk-based approach to the provision of fire cover is being developed. It is expected that when this system is available it will inform future policy development in this area and assist local authority management in its functions under section 10 of the Act.