Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 14 Oct 2003

Vol. 572 No. 3

Written Answers. - Fire Stations.

Seymour Crawford

Question:

496 Mr. Crawford asked the Minister for the Environment Heritage and Local Government if he has received plans for a new fire station at Belturbet, County Cavan; if so, if funding will be provided in 2004; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the present station on the Main Street is very difficult to access and without a bypass, the town is often blocked for considerable periods; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22813/03]

Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government (Mr. Gallagher)

My Department has received a design brief from Cavan County Council for a proposed new fire station in Belturbet to replace the present station.

I have recently announced details of the current fire services capital programme, including six priority stations scheduled to advance to construction in the coming year. The replacement station at Belturbet was not included as part of this priority programme. I also announced that my Department is initiating a review, with fire authorities, of all station projects that have been proposed, along with those in planning, with regard to obtaining the best outcome from the station construction programme. This review will examine where the most urgent need exists throughout the country for new fire stations, having regard,inter alia, to the priorities of fire authorities, the level of activity and-or conditions at fire stations, fire cover needs, the possibility of upgrading or improvement works and the competing demands of fire authorities nationally. The proposed new stations in County Cavan will be included in this review, taking into account that new stations have been provided at Bailieborough and Dowra in recent years.