Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
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Question 51: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the cost of the provision of fire services to County Roscommon; if he has applied for cover for the fire services in that area; the cost of the army cover of the fire services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39075/11]

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, 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 equipment.

I understand from Roscommon County Council that the estimated cost of providing fire services in County Roscommon for 2011 is €2,916,738.

During a recent industrial relations dispute, in accordance with established procedures, a request was made via my Department for the assistance of the Defence Forces to ensure the continued provision of an emergency service to communities in Roscommon. In the event, the army was not mobilised to respond to any incidents in the county during the dispute. I understand that a Labour Court ruling, following a hearing on 2 December 2011, has provided a basis for resolving the dispute.

The costs associated with the request for contingent fire cover will be prepared by my colleague, the Minister for Defence, but I understand they are not available at present.

Tom Fleming (Kerry South, Independent)
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Question 52: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will cover the cost of replacing or upgrading septic tanks, when households are not in a position to do so themselves. [39090/11]

Tom Fleming (Kerry South, Independent)
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Question 53: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the person who will cover the cost of replacing or upgrading septic tanks, when households are not in a position to do so themselves; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39091/11]

Tom Fleming (Kerry South, Independent)
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Question 54: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if grants will be made available to cover the cost of replacing or upgrading septic tanks in view of the fact that many households will not be in a position to do so themselves; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39092/11]

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 52, 53 and 54 together.

The Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2011, which provides for the establishment of a system of registration and inspection of septic tanks and other on-site systems, was published on 3 November 2011. The majority of systems that will be inspected are likely to be working well. It is expected, therefore, that only a minority of systems inspected will require major upgrading or replacement of a system. The costs of this are difficult to quantify and will depend on the nature of the problem identified during the inspection and the level of risk to human health or the environment.

My Department will keep under review options to provide financial support to house holders whose domestic waste water treatment systems are deemed, following inspection, to require substantial remediation or upgrading. Any such support would have to take account of the overall very difficult budgetary situation.