Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 11 June 2013
626. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he has any plans to increase the number of emergency vehicles in the Dublin area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27700/13]
View answer627. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his plans to upgrade equipment for emergency vehicles nationwide; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27718/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 626 and 627 together.
The provision of fire services in local authority areas, including the establishment and maintenance of fire brigades, the assessment of fire cover needs and the provision of premises, is a statutory function of the individual fire authorities under the provisions of the Fire Services Act 1981. My Department supports fire authorities through the setting of general policy and guidance, and the provision of capital funding, including the recoupment (within the overall funding available) of costs incurred by fire authorities in relation to the approved purchase of fire appliances and emergency equipment as well as construction and upgrading of fire stations. Dublin City Council provides fire services on behalf of the four Dublin local authorities.
Continued investment in the fire appliance fleet has been identified as a key national priority, given the current constraints on public finances. In order to deliver cost efficiencies in line with recommendations of the Local Authority Efficiency Review Group, and following the development of an agreed national fire appliance specification, a programme is currently underway which involves fire authorities aggregating demand and inviting tenders for 17 new fire appliances, two of which have been allocated to Dublin Fire Brigade.
Further support from my Department’s fire services capital programme for any fire appliances, equipment or fire station projects will be considered within the constraints of available resources and will have regard to local authorities’ priorities, the value for money offered by proposals and the totality of requests from fire authorities.
