Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 26 November 2013
491. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for the Environment; Community and Local Government if he has received an application from Galway County Council concerning the request for capital assistant to meet the cost of investing in a new fire station in the South Connemara region and whether, following receipt of an application, he is willing to consider the request in the context of capital expenditure. [50852/13]
View answer492. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for the Environment; Community and Local Government his views on the development of fire service provision in County Galway which has led to a situation where there is only one fire station in Connemara compared to seven serving the east of the county. [50853/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 491 and 492 together.
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 premises and the making of other such 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 the approved purchase of fire appliances and specialist emergency and communications equipment as well as construction and upgrading of fire stations.
In 2010, the Galway City and Western Environs Fire Review Group was established to consider the fire cover in Galway City and Western Environs (South Connemara), as well as the West Connemara Area. The Group comprised representatives of Galway City Council, Galway County Council, the Chief Fire Officer for Galway City and County, the National Directorate for Fire and Emergency Management and an external advisor from Strathclyde Fire & Rescue Service. The Group used a Risk Based Approach which had regard to the Risk Categorisation process as set out in Keeping Communities Safe (KCS). KCS was adopted as national policy in February 2013 and is based on a risk management approach, which addresses the critical elements of fire prevention, protection and response. It sets out an integrated approach to fire safety and fire services in Ireland which is in keeping with best international practice.
The Group finalised its review in June 2013. Having considered three years of actual fire incident data, potential changes in demographics and the various potential fire station permutations throughout the Western Environs Area, the Group concluded that there is not a conclusive case for an additional fire station. The Group did recommend a series of Community Fire Safety measures to further enhance the safety from fire of residents of the Area. I understand that a report on this matter has been made to both the City and County Councils. Under Section 26 of the Fire Services Act 1981, decision-making in regard to, inter alia, the organisation of fire services and fire stations is a reserved function of fire authorities and I therefore have no function in such decisions.
No application for capital funding assistance has been received by my Department for a new fire station in South Connemara. In assessing applications my Department has regard to the overall budgetary situation, national priorities, the totality of requests from fire authorities countrywide, their priorities and the status of existing facilities, the extent of previous investment in fire services and the value for money offered by proposals.
