Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 13 October 2004
177 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if a once off payment will be made to Sligo Borough Council to ensure that it can provide lifebuoys along the Garavogue River in Sligo town to prevent further loss of life; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24580/04]
View answerSection 67 of the Local Government Act 2001 empowers local authorities to promote the interests of the local community in a variety of matters, including the promotion of public safety. This includes the provision of safety equipment. It is a matter for each local authority to determine the extent to which such equipment should be provided and to allocate resources accordingly. While there is no specific provision for the funding of equipment such as ring buoys in my Department's vote, my Department, does, of course, provide significant financial support to local authorities through the local government fund which is usable at the discretion of the authority.
