Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 281: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his future plans for the development of the fire services with particular reference to the need to upgrade the part-time services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36328/09]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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The provision of a fire service, including equipment and personnel, is a statutory function of the individual fire authorities under section 10 of the Fire Services Act 1981. Issues relating to the recruitment and employment conditions of fire fighters are matters for the local authority under the Local Government Act 2001. The Department supports 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.