Liam Aylward
Question:110 Mr. Aylward asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government when funding will be approved for an extension to the fire station at Freshford, County Kilkenny. [10229/00]
Written Answers. - Fire Stations.
Liam Aylward
Question:112 Mr. Aylward asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government when funding will be approved for an extension to the fire service station at Callan, County Kilkenny. [10231/00]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 110 and 112 together.
Applications submitted by Kilkenny County Council in November 1999 for approval in principle to the provision of extensions to the fire stations in Freshford and Callan, County Kilkenny are under consideration in my Department in the context of this year's fire services capital programme. Decisions on the applications will be notified to the council as soon as possible.
Liam Aylward
Question:111 Mr. Aylward asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government when funding will be approved for essential equipment for fire stations in Kilkenny city and county. [10230/00]
The provision of a fire service, including emergency and rescue 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.
Approval issued to Kilkenny County Council on 22 February 2000 to accept tenders for the supply of road traffic accident rescue equipment amounting to £47,041, including delivery and extras. Other applications for grant aid, amounting to over £68,000, received from the council for the purchase of handportable radios and chemical protection items are currently being considered by the Department having regard to the level of funding available for the fire services capital programme and the competing demands on those funds. Decisions on these applications will be notified to the council as soon as possible.