The provision of a fire service in its functional area, including the establishment and maintenance of a fire brigade, the assessment of fire cover needs, the provision of a premises and the making of such other provisions as it considers necessary or desirable, is a statutory function of individual fire authorities under section 10 of the Fire Services Act 1981. My Department's role is one of supporting and assisting local authorities in delivering fire services through the setting of general policy and the provision of capital funding.
I have not been informed by an Garda Síochána or the Health and Safety Authority when their reports will be completed or if they will be published. I have asked Wicklow County Council to make the findings of its investigation, when completed, available to my Department.