Vol. 553 No. 2
645 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if he will making funding available as a matter of urgency for a new fire brigade for Sligo town; the amount of moneys allocated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13606/02]
There are no proposals with my Department from Sligo County Council with regard to the upgrading of Sligo fire station or the provision of new fire appliances for Sligo town. My Department assists fire authorities in the provision of a fire service, including the provision of fire stations and appliances, by way of capital grants. The deployment of fire appliances among its fire stations is a matter for each local fire authority. Sligo County Council has received approval to purchase four new fire appliances since 1999 and the council has received grants of more than €861,000 towards the purchase of appliances and equipment since 1997. In addition, a new fire station was completed in Tubbercurry in 2001 at a cost of more than €570,000.
