The provision of a fire service, including fire fighting appliances and their distribution among fire stations, is a matter for each local fire authority, in this case Galway County Council, in accordance with section 10 of the Fire Services Act, 1981. However, my Department assists fire authorities by providing capital grants towards expenditure they incur in the purchase of such appliances etc.
On 17 September 1999, I approved a proposal from Galway County Council to purchase a new fire appliance at a cost of over £145,600. An Exchequer grant will be provided in due course to meet the full cost of this appliance. A second proposal from the council to purchase a further new fire appliance is under examination in my Department and a decision will issue to the council as soon as possible.