Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 227: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his proposals for the funding and development of the part-time fire services in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4145/09]

Michael Kitt (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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The provision of a fire service, including equipment and personnel, is a statutory function of the individual fire authorities. The Department supports the local fire authorities through the setting of general policy, the provision of capital funding, the issue of guidance to fire authorities in relation to fire prevention, training support and operational matters and other such initiatives.

Over the past 25 years, almost €0.25 billion has been provided to local fire authorities under the fire services capital programme for the provision of new and refurbished fire stations and the purchase of fire appliances and other equipment. In addition, since 2001, the Department has provided in excess of €5.2 billion in general purpose grants to assist the local authorities in carrying out their statutory functions, including the provision of fire services.