Olwyn Enright (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Question 216: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the position in relation to his moratorium for recruitment to fire services; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that a station (details supplied) in County Offaly is operating below capacity, putting both public and personal at risk; if he will authorise recruitment in this area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17294/09]

Olwyn Enright (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Question 217: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the position in relation to his moratorium for recruitment to fire services; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that a station (details supplied) in County Offaly is operating below capacity, putting both public and personal at risk; if he will authorise recruitment in this area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17295/09]

Olwyn Enright (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Question 218: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the position in relation to his moratorium for recruitment to fire services; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that a station (details supplied) in County Offaly is operating below capacity, putting both public and personal at risk; if he will authorise recruitment in this area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17296/09]

Olwyn Enright (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Question 219: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the position in relation to his moratorium for recruitment to fire services; if his attention has been drawn to a the fact that a station (details supplied) in County Offaly is operating below capacity, putting both public and personal at risk; if he will authorise recruitment in this area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17297/09]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 216 to 219, inclusive, together.

Under the terms of the Government's decision on implementation of savings in public service numbers no public service post, however arising, may be filled by recruitment, promotion, or payment of an allowance for the performance of duties at a higher grade. This decision is effective from 31 March 2009 and stands until the end of 2010. My Department has, accordingly, written to all local authorities requesting their compliance.

However, in recognition of the priority attaching to the maintenance of key frontline services, my Department is consulting with the Department of Finance in regard to the management of relevant staffing needs. The needs of local authority fire services will be considered in this context.

In regard to the staffing requirements in each local authority, it is the responsibility of each county and city manager, under the Local Government Act 2001, to employ such staff and to make such staffing and organisational arrangements as may be deemed necessary for the purposes of carrying out the functions of the local authorities for which he or she is the manager. The specific matters relating to individual fire stations raised in the question are, accordingly, appropriately determined at local level.