Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 526: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the extent to which it is intended to upgrade or improve part-time and full time fire fighting services throughout the country over the next two years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31309/10]

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 (personnel and equipment), is a statutory function of individual fire authorities under section 10 of the Fire Services Act, 1981. Staffing and organisational arrangements for the purposes of carrying out the functions of fire authorities are matters for the relevant city or county manager under section 159 of the Local Government Act, 2001. My Department supports the local fire authorities through setting of general policy, the provision of capital funding, training support and issue of guidance on operational and other related matters. Fire Services will continue to be developed having regard to service priorities, the need to maximise effectiveness and efficiency, and taking account of the resources available.