Michael D Higgins (Galway West, Labour)
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Question 487: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his views on the need for a fire service in south Connemara; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that none exists at present; his views on whether it is acceptable in view of the rise in population in the area over the past number of years; if his further attention has been drawn to the comparable fire service figures for other Gaeltachtaí; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27606/10]

Michael Finneran (Roscommon-South Leitrim, 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. The Department's role is one of supporting and assisting fire 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 Galway will be considered under future capital programmes having regard to the existing facilities, the level of activity, the proximity of other fire stations, the fire authority's priorities and the totality of demands of other fire authorities on the limited funds available under the fire services capital programme.