Vol. 514 No. 3
264 Mr. U. Burke asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the plans, if any, he has for the provision of funding for Gal way County Council for the provision of a second fire tender at Loughrea station in view of the fact the tender is 20 years in service and needs replacement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4224/00]
The provision of a fire service, including fire fighting appliances and their distribution among fire stations, is a matter for each local fire authority, in this case Galway County Council, in accordance with section 10 of the Fire Services Act, 1981. However, my Department assists fire authorities by providing capital grants towards expenditure they incur in the purchase of such appliances etc.
On 17 September 1999, I approved a proposal from Galway County Council to purchase a new fire appliance at a cost of over £145,600. An Exchequer grant will be provided in due course to meet the full cost of this appliance. A second proposal from the council to purchase a further new fire appliance is under examination in my Department and a decision will issue to the council as soon as possible.
