Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Independent)
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Question 474: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the new institutional arrangements if any, he is considering in relation to the fire and ambulance services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5598/12]

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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Fire services are provided by the local authorities in accordance the Fire Services Act 1981 and 2003. The fire services have been pro-active in using the "shared services" concept, and groups of authorities and specific services (such as the regional mobilization and communications systems) have been provided on a shared basis over several years. Further opportunities for shared service will continue to be explored and developed where the business case supports this and in accordance with other changes in local government. The national blueprint for further developing and improving the efficiency and effectiveness of fire services is set out in the Irish Fire Services National Development Framework 2010 - 2015, which is available on my Department's website at www.environ.ie . 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.

Institutional arrangements for the ambulance service are a matter for the Minister for Health and Children, and I have no function in that matter.