Fire Stations.

Wednesday, 29 September 2004

Questions (1045, 1046)

Michael Ring

Question:

1225 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the position regarding the fire station in Achill, County Mayo. [21906/04]

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1228 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if funding is in place for a project (details supplied) in County Mayo; if not, when this funding will be put in place and when the construction phase will commence. [21909/04]

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Written answers

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

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1225 and 1228 together.

Approval in principle has been granted for the proposed replacement fire stations at Achill Sound and Westport, both of which are included in the fire services capital programme as priority projects. My Department has requested Mayo County Council to review certain aspects of the proposed plans and costings of both projects and responses are awaited. Once these issues have been resolved satisfactorily these projects will be approved to proceed to tender stage. The question of providing funding for the construction of these projects does not arise at this stage. However, some €445,700 has been recouped to Mayo County Council to date to meet expenditure already incurred in respect of the site and fees for the Westport project.