Written answers

Tuesday, 5 November 2019

Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government

Local Authority Funding

Photo of Anne RabbitteAnne Rabbitte (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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1166. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the level of funding provided to each county for fire services in each of the years 2016 to 2018 and to date in 2019, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45209/19]

Photo of Damien EnglishDamien English (Meath West, Fine Gael)
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The Fire Services Capital Programme forms an important part of my Department’s strategy to support fire authorities in the development and maintenance of a quality fire-fighting and rescue service. My Department provides capital funding for the construction/upgrading of fire stations and the procurement of fire appliances and specialised equipment.

The prioritisation and effective management of these resources is, in the first instance, a matter for each of the fire authorities based on their assessment of local needs and requirements. My Department works closely with fire services around the country to progress priority projects.

Funding provided to each county for Fire Services

2016 2017 2018 2019 (to end October)
Carlow €264,397 €534,002 €217,721 €0
Cavan €100,256 €30,765 €287,530 €771,031
Clare €8,118 €416,007 €1,007,850 €66,254
Cork €1,010,049 €455,239 €8,118 €310,160
Donegal €130,932 €363,806 €0 €452,294
Dublin €179,969 €1,039,099 €666,493 €470,346
Galway €502,297 €336,390 €1,952,309 €334,908
Kerry €11,500 €0 €5,304 €188,737
Kildare €55,903 €370,922 €61,896 €0
Kilkenny €80,164 €1,122,984 €243,949 €84,102
Laois €8,118 €106,239 €84,039 €56,246
Leitrim €0 €0 €5,354 €0
Limerick €64,151 €111,813 €109,074 €6,210
Longford €652,414 €297,123 €855,300 €6,210
Louth €0 €406,393 €228,378 €84,475
Mayo €242,282 €181,411 €50,345 €158,374
Meath €20,295 €104,093 €207,456 €20,756
Monaghan €406,252 €122,215 €137,167 €398,676
Offaly €183,397 €850,581 €300,442 €323,795
Tipperary €952,561 €790,896 €828,661 €331,178
Waterford €5,412 €125,104 €87,909 €0
Westmeath €1,407,200 €1,100,186 €352,929 €302,357
Wexford €112,841 €0 €358,993 €0
Wicklow €394,425 €71,832 €170,281 €187,756

My Department is also funding the Fire Services' CTrí (previously known as CAMP) project dealing with the Fire Services' 999/112 emergency call-taking service for the public. It is a nation-wide system, based in three regional communication centres in Dublin, Limerick and Castlebar. The CTrí Project will see the introduction of a new mobilisation system better linking the three centres. This will provide the opportunity to achieve an improved, more resilient service for the public. Funding of €1.62 million, €1.87 million and €2.7 million was provided for this project by my Department in the years 2016, 2017 and 2018 respectively. This funding is ongoing and a further €3.1 million has been provided in the current year to date. Due to the nature of this project, which will benefit every county in the country, the funding has not been apportioned on a county-by-county basis.

Photo of Brendan SmithBrendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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1167. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the funding approved to date for local authorities under a specific programme (details supplied); the projected allocations at year end; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45250/19]

Photo of Eoghan MurphyEoghan Murphy (Dublin Bay South, Fine Gael)
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Funding approval of almost €500,000 has been given to Cavan and Monaghan County Councils this year under the voids programme, based on the number of properties submitted by them. In recent weeks, Monaghan County Council has submitted additional properties for inclusion under the programme, which have now also been approved for funding subject to the conditions attaching to the programme.

While my Department is supportive of local authorities in bringing vacant social homes back to productive use under the voids programme, it is of concern if the increased level of submissions being made by them, arises from a reduced funding commitment on their part, to the maintenance and re-letting of their own housing stock. The management and maintenance of local authority housing stock, including pre-letting repairs to vacant properties, the implementation of planned maintenance programmes and carrying out of responsive repairs, are matters for each individual local authority under the Housing Acts. To facilitate the early re-letting of social homes when an existing tenant leaves a property, it is vital that local authorities make provision in their own budget, for pre-letting works. I hope that Council members will support this important work in setting future budgets.

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