Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 28 Jan 1999

Vol. 499 No. 2

Written Answers. - Fire Services.

Monica Barnes

Ceist:

20 Mrs. Barnes asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the number of new firefighting appliances it is proposed to fund from his Department's 1999 Estimate; the average age of appliances currently in use; the number of new appliances sought by local authorities for 1999; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2140/99]

Brian O'Shea

Ceist:

42 Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the number of fire tenders older than ten and 15 years still in service with local authorities; the age of the oldest vehicle still in service; the total capital provision in 1999 to replace fire service vehicles; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2064/99]

Minister for the Environment and Local Government (Mr. Dempsey)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 20 and 42 together.

I refer the Deputies to the reply to Question No. 26 of 5 March 1998 which outlines the latest information provided to my Department by local fire authorities regarding the age of their fire appliances.

The provision of fire appliances for its brigades is the responsibility of local fire authorities in accordance with the provisions of section 10 of the Fire Services Act, 1981.

My Department provides capital grants towards certain expenditure incurred by fire authorities including the purchase of appliances. Total capital provided in my Department's Vote in 1999 for the fire service is £6.872 million, giving an increase of £1.839 million or 37 per cent over the original 1998 allocation. It is anticipated that approximately one third of the 1999 capital will be used to fund appliances.

In 1997 and 1998, fire authorities were given approval to invite tenders for 24 new appliances. Five of these have been delivered and it is expected that the majority of the remainder will be delivered in 1999. Approval to invite tenders for a further 12 to 15 appliances is expected to issue this year.

At present there are proposals before the Department seeking funding for some 45 new appliances.