Tom Fleming (Kerry South, Independent)
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To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government the position regarding fire charges whereby the fire brigade is called out by someone other than the property owner and the property owner subsequently ends up being billed for the call out; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44782/12]

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 is a statutory function of individual fire authorities under section 10 of the Fire Services Act 1981 and 2003. My Department supports the local fire authorities through setting of general policy, the provision of centralised training support and issue of guidance on operational and other related matters, and the provision of capital funding.

Under Section 35 (3) of the Act, it is matter for each local authority to determine whether to charge users or beneficiaries of a fire service for services which the fire authority provides. I do not have a role in approving or consenting to the levying of such charges. In many cases, the householder/premises owners are covered for recouping charges for attendance of the fire brigade at incidents such as house fires, road traffic accidents and hay barn fires from relevant home, motor and farm insurance policies. I understand that most fire authorities operate waiver schemes in respect of call-out charges; each case is considered on its merits, and partial waivers and deferred payment options are considered as appropriate.