Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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Question 192: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government when finance will be sanctioned for the provision of a new fire station (details supplied) in County Waterford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41732/08]

Michael Kitt (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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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 premises is a statutory function of individual fire authorities under section 10 of the Fire Services Act 1981. My Department's role is one of supporting and assisting fire authorities in delivering fire services through the provision of funding under the fire service capital programme and through setting of general policy.

The Department recently initiated a review of the priorities of fire authorities in relation to the funding of the replacement or upgrading of fire stations. In that context, Waterford County Council has submitted a priority list of the following stations which are in need of replacement:— Kilmacthomas, Lismore, Portlaw and Tallow. The provision of exchequer funding to support further investment in the County Waterford fire service will be considered under future capital programmes. Such funding will have regard to the Council's priorities, existing facilities and the competing demands from other fire authorities for available funding.