I propose to take Questions Nos. 152 to 154, inclusive, together.
The provision of a fire service, including staffing, equipment, transport and communications, is a statutory function of the individual fire authorities and my Department has no direct role in this matter. My Department supports the local fire authorities through the setting of general policy, the provision of capital funding, the issue of guidance to fire authorities in relation to fire prevention and operational matters and other such initiatives. In particular, the Fire Services Change Programme, which I announced in 2005, is taking forward a range of initiatives to improve the quality of the service, including through a strengthened focus on community fire safety.
Over the past 25 years, almost €240 million has been provided to local fire authorities under the fire services capital programme for the provision of new and refurbished fire stations and new regional communications centres and the purchase of fire appliances and other equipment, including communications equipment. At this stage, over two-thirds of our fire stations, including almost all of the busiest stations, have been replaced. We have a modern fleet of front-line fire appliances, and a modern emergency response communications system is in place. In the current year, almost €20 million has been allocated to the Fire Services capital programme. This allocation will be used to further modernise and update the resources available to the fire authorities.
In addition, since 2001, my Department has provided almost €4.2 billion in general purpose grants to assist local authorities in carrying out their statutory functions, including the provision of fire services.
