Seán Fleming (Laois, Fianna Fail)
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125. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government the status of a project (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20077/16]

Seán Fleming (Laois, Fianna Fail)
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126. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide funding for a facility (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20078/16]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 125 and 126 together.

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 and the provision of fire station premises, is a statutory function of individual fire authorities under section 10 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.

In February 2016, my Department 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.

In 2006, a proposal by Laois County Council to build a new fire station at Rathdowney was received by my Department and approval in principle was granted to proceed to the planning stages. Laois County Council submitted design and cost plans in June 2009 for consideration by my Department. At that time, Laois County Council were asked to review those plans with a view to finding savings as it was considered that the project did not offer best value for money. There has been no further progress with this project subsequently.

The Rathdowney fire station project was not included in the current 5 year programme, but it is intended the list of priority projects to be progressed will be kept under review on an annual basis in light of progress with individual projects and the value for money being achieved. In further considering any proposal, my Department will have regard to established national priorities for funding in this area and the totality of requests from fire authorities countrywide. The priorities of Laois County Council, the extent of current and previous investment in Laois Fire Services and the status of existing facilities, having regard to area risk categorisation, will also be considered.

With regard to the provision of toilet and washing facilities for a female fire-fighter, my Department has not received a request for funding from Laois County Council in respect of this matter.