Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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113. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government his proposals to approve funding for the provision of a new fire station in Ballybay in County Monaghan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10871/16]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The provision of fire services in local authority areas, including the establishment and maintenance of fire brigades, the assessment of fire cover needs and the provision of premises, is a statutory function of the individual fire authorities under the provisions 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.

My Department recently announced a five-year Fire Services Capital Programme with an allocation of €40 million, based on the current annual €8 million allocation, to be used for the purchase of fire appliances and specialist equipment, building or upgrading of prioritised Fire Stations, an upgrade of the Communications and Mobilisation system and improvements to Training Centres. Under this programme, the list of priority projects to be progressed will be kept under review on an annual basis.

A new fire station is proposed for Castleblayney in the current five-year programme. A fire station project in Ballybay is not included in the programme. I can assure the Deputy that my Department will have regard to Monaghan County Council’s priorities and national priorities for funding in further considering any proposal.