Brian O'Shea (Waterford, Labour)
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Question 280: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his proposals to provide funding for fire stations in County Waterford in 2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47267/08]

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 local authorities in delivering fire services through the provision of funding under the fire service capital programme and through setting of general policy. Further investment in the fire service in County Waterford under future capital programmes will have regard to the fire authority's priorities, the spread of existing facilities and the competing demands from other fire authorities for available funding. The council recently indicated that their current priorities for fire stations are Kilmacthomas, Lismore, Portlaw and Tallow.