Tony McLoughlin (Sligo-North Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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918. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government in view of the fact that discussions have been ongoing for a number of years regarding the provision of a new fire station in Ballyshannon, County Donegal; if he will provide an update on the current situation regarding the proposed development of the Ballyshannon fire service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12059/15]

Alan Kelly (Tipperary North, Labour)
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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 fire station premises, is a statutory function of individual fire authorities under the Fire Service 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.

Donegal County Council, in partnership with my Department, has made substantial progress in modernising fire stations in Co Donegal and has replaced 12 of the 15 fire stations following investment of some €11 million by my Department over the last decade or so. The following towns in County Donegal are now served by modern fire stations with full facilities: Millford (1998); Buncrana (2000); Letterkenny (HQ) and An Fal Carrach (both in 2003); Carndonagh and Donegal Town (both in 2004); Killybegs (2005); An Clochan Liath, Glenties and Moville (all in 2007); and most recently Gaoth Dobhair and Stranorlar (2009). My Department has channelled significant investment to fire authorities over the last number of years and as a consequence, the high quality of Ireland's fire service infrastructure is now widely acknowledged.

With regard to the provision of a new fire station in Ballyshannon, while this issue has been the subject of discussions with the Local Authority for a number of years, my Department awaits receipt of a fully updated proposal, taking into account, among other issues, site suitability, fire cover requirements and prioritisation of projects.

In further considering any proposal, my Department must have regard to national priorities for funding in this area and the totality of requests from fire authorities countrywide. The priorities of Donegal County Council, the extent of current and previous investment in Donegal Fire services and the status of existing facilities having regard to area risk categorisation, will also fall to be considered.