Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 16 Nov 1999

Vol. 510 No. 6

Written Answers. - Fire Stations.

Billy Timmins

Question:

54 Mr. Timmins asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the applications, if any, he has received since 1 January 1998 from Wicklow County Council for fire-fighting equipment; the position on these applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23457/99]

Minister for the Environment and Local Government (Mr. Dempsey):

I propose to circulate in the Official Report a tabular statement setting out the information requested by the Deputy.

The provision of a fire service, including the provision of fire-fighting equipment, is a matter for the local fire authorities to deal with in accordance with section 10 of the Fire Services Act, 1981. My Department, however, assists fire authorities by providing capital grants towards expenditure they incur in the purchase of such equipment.

Wicklow County Council's requests for grant aid for the purchase of fire appliances and emergency and rescue equipment, including communication equipment, and for the replacement refurbishment of fire stations are examined in my Department having regard to the funding available to the fire services capital programme nationally and the competing demands on these funds.

Details of the applications received from Wicklow County Council for fire-fighting equipment since 1 January 1998.

Items	Present Position
2 Secondhand Emergency Tenders	One approved for purchase on 15 February 1999.
Secondhand Hydraulic Platform	Approval to purchase issued on 9 November 1999.
New Mobile Radio System	Tenders currently under examination in the Department.
Road Traffic Accident Equipment	Request for grant-aid under consideration.
Tender for purchase of a new fire appliance	Approval to purchase issued on 27 November 1998.
New Alerting System	Approval to purchase issued on 18 June 1999.
2 Secondhand Fire Appliances	Approved in principle on 13 September 1999.
2 Previously Owned WaterTankers	Application for approval in principle to purchase under examination in the Department
Chemical Protection Suits and Equipment	Application for grant aid under examination in the Department