Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
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Question 487: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide funding for a new fire station in Kenmare, County Kerry. [9995/12]

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 fire station premises, is a statutory function of individual fire authorities under section 10 of the Fire Services Act 1981. My Department supports the fire authorities through setting general policy, providing a central training programme, issuing guidance on operational and other related matters and providing capital funding for priority infrastructural projects.

The existing fire station in Kenmare was built in 1977 and the fire brigade responds to some 60 call-outs per year. In 2008, approval was conveyed to the Council to proceed to planning stage in respect of a new fire station and it is understood that planning permission was granted.

Investment in the fire appliance fleet has been identified as a key national priority for fire services. In that context, I have approved a programme which is currently underway involving fire authorities aggregating demand and jointly procuring 17 fire appliances.

Given the current constraints on public finances, further support from my Department's fire services capital programme to replace Kenmare fire station will have regard to national priorities referred to above, as well as to the totality of requests for funding from fire authorities countrywide, Kerry County Council's priorities and the value-for-money offered by proposals.