Eamon Scanlon (Sligo-Leitrim, Fianna Fail)
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250. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if it will be guaranteed that Ballyshannon fire station will remain open; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that a commissioned report affirmed the best practice cover for the towns of Ballyshannon and Bundoran are stations in both towns; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27127/18]

Pearse Doherty (Donegal, Sinn Fein)
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268. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if he has received a request from Donegal County Council for additional supports and or financial assistance to avoid the potential closure of a fire station (details supplied); if his attention has been dawn to proposals being considered by the local authority to reconfigure fire services in the area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27263/18]

Damien English (Meath West, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 250 and 268 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, 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 twelve fire stations following investment of some €11 million through my Department's Fire Service Capital Programme since 2000.

I understand that Donegal County Council is undertaking a review process to inform a new fire station proposal in South Donegal.  My Department has indicated that it is open to considering a suitable fire station project proposal for South Donegal from the County Council, and would welcome a proposal which would effectively finish the county’s fire station construction programme. A proposal which fits with the normal fire station project criteria will be fully considered and, if appropriate, will be included in the five year Capital Programme currently underway.

I await hearing further from Donegal County Council on this matter.