Fire Stations.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 30 March 2004

Tuesday, 30 March 2004

Questions (361)

Jack Wall

Question:

474 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the applications his Department has received for funding for the provision of new fire stations and new fire fighting equipment from local authorities for each of the past three years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9747/04]

Written answers

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

Applications for approval in principle to proposals for 14 new replacement fire stations were received in my Department in the years 2001-03 and details are set out in table 1. It should be noted that funding decisions are not made until projects are approved to invite tenders. My Department has also initiated a review, with fire authorities, of all proposed station projects, along with those in planning, with regard to obtaining the best outcome from the station construction programme. My Department also, in certain cases, provides funding for extensions and refurbishments to stations where such work will enable the existing station to be brought up to modern standards without the need for a new station.

Over the past three years, the level of capital funding recouped in grants to the fire service for stations, appliances and equipment totalled over €57 million. In that period 16 new replacement fire station projects were completed with four projects in progress at the end of 2003. A further five projects are due to commence construction shortly. In addition, four extensions or improvement projects were completed with a further two due to commence this year.

In regard to the new fire appliance element of the fire services capital programme, the Department determines approvals to seek tenders for new appliances having regard to the information available in relation to the age and condition of appliance fleets throughout the country, level of activity and having regard to the funds available to the programme, rather than seeking applications for new appliances. In the last three years approval was granted to fire authorities to invite tenders for 92 new fire appliances.

While fire authorities are expected to make provision for their ongoing equipment needs, including replacement and maintenance requirements, my Department funds on a case by case basis specialist or urgent applications for equipment needs, e.g. road traffic accident equipment, second hand fire appliances, water tankers, chemical protection suits, etc. In the past three years 49 applications for funding for new equipment such as detailed above have been received in my Department and details are also set out in table 2.

The 2004 allocation for the fire services capital programme is €19 million and this investment will ensure the continued development and modernisation of the fire service.

Table 1

Applications Received for New Replacement Fire Stations 2001-2003
2001	2002	2003
Achill Island,Athenry,Castlecomer, Clifden, Drogheda, Dungloe, Glenties, Gweedore, Millstreet, Macroom.	Clones, Thurles, Westport.	Moville

Table 2

New Equipment Applications 2001 — 2003
Fire Authority	Equipment	Year
Carlow	Four Wheel Drive Vehicle (4WD)	2001
	Road Traffic Accident Equipment (RTA)	2002
	Fire Behaviour Training Unit (FBTU)	2002
	New Emergency Tender	2002
Cavan	Breathing Apparatus (BA)	2002
	Hand Portable Radios	2002
	4WD Vehicle	2002
Clare	New Water Tanker	2002
	RTA Equipment	2002
	FBTU	2002
	2 4WD Vehicles and Lighting Trailers	2002
	Hand Portable Radios	2002
Donegal	New Mini Water Tender for Off shore Island	2002
Galway County	New Mini Water Tender for Off shore Island	2001
	Hand Portable Radios	2002
Kildare	FBTU	2002
Kilkenny	Gas Tight Protective Suits	2001
Limerick County	FBTU	2001
	Hand Portable Radios	2001
	Chemical Suits and Decontamination Showers	2001
Longford	RTA Equipment	2002
Mayo	Breathing Apparatus	2001
	Hand Portable Radios	2002
Monaghan	RTA Equipment	2001
	BA Compressor	2001
Offaly	RTA Equipment	2001
	Hand Portable Radios	2001
North Tipperary	2 Lighting Trailers	2002
South Tipperary	RTA Equipment	2001
Waterford County	RTA Equipment	2001
	2 4WD Vehicles	2001
Westmeath	Breathing Apparatus	2002
	Lighting Trailer and Air Shelter Unit	2002
	FBTU	2003
Athlone Town Council	4WD Vehicle and Lighting Trailer	2001
	Equipment for Emergency tender	2003
Wexford	Gas Tight Protection Suits	2002
	4WD Vehicle	2001
Cork City	Aerial Appliance	2002
	2 Chimney Vans	2002
	Control Van	2002
	Boat	2002
Dublin City	Decontamination Unit	2001
	2 4WD Vehicles	2001
	Water Rescue Equipment	2002
Limerick City	RTA Equipment	2001
	Vehicle for Decontamination Unit	2002
	Aerial Appliance	2001
Waterford City	FBTU — Flashover Aid Set	2001