Pearse Doherty (Donegal South West, Sinn Fein)
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Question 213: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the position regarding applications for fire stations (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13273/11]

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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The provision of fire services in local authority areas, including the establishment and maintenance of fire brigades, the assessment of fire cover needs and the provision of premises, is a statutory function of the individual fire authorities under the provisions of the Fire Services Act 1981. My Department supports the local fire authorities through setting of general policy, providing training support, issuing guidance on operational and other related matters and providing capital funding.

In order to enhance the capacity of the fire service, Donegal County Council submitted a comprehensive plan in March 2000 to replace all the fire stations in the county. The Council, in partnership with my Department, has made substantial progress in implementing this plan. It has replaced 12 fire stations following investment of some €11 million under the fire service capital programme. The following towns in County Donegal are now served by modern fire stations with full facilities: Milford (1998); Buncrana (2000); Letterkenny (HQ) and An Fál Carrach (both in 2003); Carndonagh and Donegal town (both in 2004); Killybegs (2005); An Clochán Liath, Glenties and Moville (all three in 2007); and most recently Gaoth Dobhair and Stranorlar (2009).

In 2007, an independent capital appraisal examined a number of options in relation to upgrading facilities at Ballyshannon and Bundoran. The appraisal recommended that the most economically and operationally advantageous option would be the amalgamation of the existing fire stations into a combined three bay station at Finner, located next to the by-pass and affording excellent access to both towns. This proposal, however, did not progress and approval in principle for the replacement of both stations was conveyed to Donegal County Council in July 2009. It is understood that potential sites have been identified by the Council.

In common with other capital programmes, my Department has commenced a Capital Expenditure Review of the fire services capital programme. Given the revenue cost overheads associated with each fire station, in partnership with Donegal County Council, all options in relation to the upgrading of facilities at Ballyshannon and Bundoran fire stations, including the amalgamation option, will need to be considered as part of this review. Further investment in the fire service in Ballyshannon and Bundoran will be considered within the current constraints on the fire services capital programme and will have regard to the Capital Expenditure Review, the fire authority's priorities, the extent of previous investment, the spread of existing facilities and the totality of demands from fire authorities countrywide.