Joe McHugh (Donegal North East, Fine Gael)
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Question 39: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he has plans to reform financing of local fire services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43169/08]

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, the provision of 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'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.

Operational costs for fire services are met from funding available to local authorities for day-to-day services. Such funding arises from a range of sources including commercial rates, charges for goods and services, specific State grants and general purpose grants from the Local Government Fund. Significant exchequer funding continues to be made available to support local fire services; over €24.6 million (capital and current) will be provided in this regard in 2009.

Question No. 40 answered with Question No. 30.