Thomas Pringle (Donegal South West, Independent)
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Question 131: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will sanction the provision of two new fire stations in Ballyshannon and Bundoran; his views regarding the assessment of Donegal County Council that a station in each town is required; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16650/11]

Thomas Pringle (Donegal South West, Independent)
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Question 132: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government when he will approve the provision of a new fire station for Glencolmcille in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16651/11]

Pearse Doherty (Donegal South West, Sinn Fein)
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Question 135: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if the amalgamation option is still being considered by him as part of the capital review in relation to Bundoran and Ballyshannon fire stations, County Donegal; when he expects the review to be complete; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16679/11]

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 131, 132 and 135 together.

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, the provision of a premises and the making of such other provisions as it considers necessary or desirable, is a statutory function of individual fire authorities under the provisions of the Fire Services Act 1981.

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 emergency equipment as well as construction and upgrading of fire stations.

Donegal County Council, in partnership with my Department, has made substantial progress in modernising fire stations in Co Donegal and has replaced 12 fire stations following investment of some €11 million by my Department over the last decade. 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).

It is important that value for money is delivered from all expenditure under the fire services capital programme. Following completion of a review of the programme, continued investment in the fire appliance fleet has been identified as a key national priority measure over the next 24 months. In that context, I recently approved a new programme of joint procurement of 17 fire appliances.

Given the tight constraints on public finances any further support from my Department to Donegal County Council on the fire services capital programme in the period ahead will have regard to the Council's priorities, the extent of previous investment, the value for money offered by proposals, the spread of existing facilities and the totality of demands from fire authorities countrywide.