Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 26: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his proposals to ensure that local authorities are resourced to provide fire services. [15632/11]

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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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. Fire authorities provide some €240 million annually to run fire services in Ireland. My Department supports fire authorities through the setting of general policy and guidance, and the provision of capital funding, including the recoupment (within the overall funding available) of costs incurred by fire authorities in relation to the approved purchase of fire appliances and equipment.

The fire service capital programme provides for the replacement and renewal of existing local authority fire service infrastructure and the maintenance of the vehicle fleet so that fire service buildings and vehicles/ equipment are fit for purpose. Following significant investment in fire service infrastructure, fleet and equipment over the last decade, Ireland's fire service infrastructure is now acknowledged to be first rate.

The national blueprint and programme for further developing and improving the efficiency and effectiveness of Fire Services is set out in the recently agreed Irish Fire Services National Development Framework 2010-2015. The Framework sets out policies and key actions in the areas of Fire Services Role in Society; National Processes and Standards; Staff Learning and Development; Quality Assurance Systems and Reporting Performance; and Service Infrastructure and Legislative Support.