Vol. 499 No. 2
40 Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the number of full-time fire services which are currently employed by local authorities; if he has satisfied himself with the current fire services provision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2063/99]
Three fire authorities, Cork, Dublin and Limerick county boroughs operate full-time fire services in a total of 14 fire stations. In addition, Sligo and Galway County Councils, Waterford County Borough, Drogheda Borough Corporation and Dundalk Urban District Council have a combination of full-time and retained fire services personnel. The remaining fire authorities have retained fire services. The total number of full-time personnel employed by fire authorities is approximately 1200.
The provision of fire cover is a statutory duty of the individual local fire authorities. In accordance with section 10 of the Fire Services Act 1981, it is a matter for each fire authority, inter alia, to establish and maintain the type of staffing arrangement they consider necessary or desirable to exercise their statutory duty.
