Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 29 Feb 2000

Vol. 515 No. 3

Written Answers. - Fire Brigade Fleet.

Róisín Shortall

Question:

253 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government his views on the fact that 70% of the Dublin Fire Brigade fleet is over ten years old; his further views on whether this is an adequate standard for emergency services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6232/00]

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

The provision of a fire service including the provision of fire fighting appliances for its brigades is the responsibility of the local fire authorities, in this case Dublin Corporation.

My Department provides capital grants towards certain expenditure incurred by the authorities on the provision of a fire service. The provision of £8 million for the fire services capital programme in this year's estimates, an increase of over 16% on the corresponding figure for 1999, is the highest on record.

In the period 1997 to 1999 fire authorities were given approval to invite tenders for 44 new fire appliances. Five of these were for the Dublin Fire Brigade and to date three have been delivered. It is understood from Dublin Corporation that the remaining two have been ordered and it is expected that they will be delivered later this year.

In the context of this year's fire services capital programme, Dublin Corporation's fire appliance needs will be considered having regard to competing demands.