Pearse Doherty (Donegal South West, Sinn Fein)
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Question 357: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the reason Arainn Mhór Island, County Donegal, fire service only has two retained crew members when all other fire stations have a minimum of nine; his views that this situation is adequate; if so, when he will remedy the situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35727/11]

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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The provision of a fire service in County Donegal, including the establishment and maintenance of a fire brigade, the assessment of fire cover needs, the provision of premises and the making of such other provisions as it considers necessary or desirable is a statutory function of Donegal County Council under the provisions of the Fire Services Acts 1981 and 2003. Accordingly, the issue of the fire service on Arainn Mhór is a matter for the Donegal fire authority.

I understand from Donegal County Council that a volunteer fire unit operates on Arainn Mhór. The unit is served by islanders operating on a voluntary basis, similar to other services such as the RNLI and the ambulance service which also operate on a voluntary basis on the island. I understand that Donegal County Council funds the training of the volunteer fire fighters and also pays two people on the island to manage the service. The volunteer service receives the same standard of training as retained fire fighters on the mainland and has access to modern equipment of a similar standard to that used on the mainland. I understand from the Council that a voluntary unit also operates on Oileán Thoraí. Although the level of callouts for these volunteer brigades is thankfully extremely low, I understand Donegal County Council is satisfied with the current arrangements.