Seán Fleming (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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Question 152: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the current position in relation to the approval of tendered documents allowing a project to go to tender (details supplied) in County Laois; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28503/12]

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, 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. Continued investment in the fire appliance fleet has been identified as a key national priority for the available capital funds.

Correspondence has been received in my Department from Laois County Council in relation to proposals for works at Rathdowney fire station, and these are currently under consideration. Further investment in the fire service in Laois will be considered within the current constraints on the fire service capital programme and having regard to the fire authority's priorities, the spread of existing facilities and the totality of demands from fire authorities nationwide.