Mary O'Rourke (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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Question 436: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government when the fire station at Lanesboro will proceed. [39939/10]

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. My 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 general policy.

A new fire station to be funded under the Department's fire service capital programme is currently under construction at Edgeworthstown, County Longford. My Department approved in principle, in July 2008, an application from Longford County Council to construct a fire station in Lanesboro. The Council has indicated that the construction of this new station is its first priority. The Council is also seeking to progress an extension to the fire station in Longford Town. Further investment in the fire service in Co Longford 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.