Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 19 November 2013
477. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government when the extension to Longford fire station will be sanctioned, as the local authority is ready to proceed once sanction is received; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49428/13]
View answerThe 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 the provisions of the Fire Services Act 1981 and 2003.
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 approved construction projects and the purchase of fire appliances and equipment.
Approval in principle was conveyed to Longford County Council in 2007 for an extension to Longford fire station. However, in 2010 the Council indicated to my Department that a new fire station for Lanesboro was the number one priority for capital investment. My Department has recently issued approval to accept a tender for this project.
Further investment to support the redevelopment of Longford fire station will be considered under future capital programmes, within the constraints of reduced public finances, and will have regard to the priorities of Longford County Council, the value-for-money offered by proposals, the level of investment to date and the totality of demands from fire authorities countrywide for the limited funding available.
