Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government the extent to which he expects to be in position to maintain the Fire Service, part time and full time, throughout the country in the coming year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46525/12]

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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Under the Fire Services Act 1981 and 2003, it is a statutory function of each individual fire authority to make provision f or a fire service in its functional area. This includes 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 for carrying out its fire fighting duties . In section 10(2) of the 1981 Act, these are specified as including extinguishing fires in buildings and other places, the protection and rescue of persons and property from injury by fire, and the reception of and response to calls for assistance.

My Department’s National Directorate for Fire and Emergency Management provides support through setting general policy, the provision of training support and guidance on operational and other related matters and capital funding. In the latter part of 2011, m y Department’s National Directorate for Fire and Emergency Management began a policy review of fire safety in Ireland and is currently processing the output from a round of stakeholder consultation on a report titled: “Keeping Communities Safe” (KCS). The document will set out an integrated approach to fire safety by striking an appropriate balance between fire prevention, fire protection and response. It is currently being finalised with a view to publication before the end of 2012.