Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 2 February 2012
175 Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he has carried out any reviews into funding cuts to programmes funded through social inclusion; and if so, the details of same. [6034/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraI refer to the reply to Question No. 191 on today's Order Paper which sets out funding for a range of programmes for community groups or local authorities for, inter alia, social inclusion activities.
As part of the Government's Comprehensive Review of Expenditure and the 2012 Estimates process, difficult decisions have had to be taken in relation to prioritising funding for core services in all programme areas, including those related to social inclusion. The funding estimate to support my Department's mainstreamed drugs projects under the Housing programme in 2012 is €100,000 compared with €400,000 in 2011, i.e. a reduction of 75%.
My Department is currently engaging in a consultation process with relevant local authorities and other bodies to explore alternative funding mechanisms for the mainstreamed drugs projects for 2012 and beyond. While this process is underway my Department has agreed to provide pro rata funding to support the mainstreamed projects for the first quarter of 2012. This represents the final housing budget contribution to the projects. It will be a matter for all the public funding bodies, as part of the consultation process, to identify resources to deliver on the overall objectives of the reconfigured projects beyond end March 2012.
Furthermore, in the context of a public funding provision of €260 million for drugs programmes across all Departments and agencies in 2011, my colleague, the Minister of State with responsibility for the National Drugs Strategy is currently undertaking a review of the structures that underpin the National Drugs Strategy at local, regional and national level, including how the current funding structures can be improved or streamlined, particularly in relation to local and regional drugs task forces.
177 Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the way in which he expects the cuts to fire and emergency services, from €11.25 million in 2011 to €6 million for 2012, will be made; and if he will explain how the ongoing service will be maintained while importing these cuts into the funding of the services. [6036/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe provision of fire services in local authority areas, including the establishment and maintenance of fire brigades, the assessment of fire cover needs and the provision of premises, is a statutory function of the individual fire authorities under the provisions of the Fire Services Act 1981.
My Department supports fire authorities through the setting of general policy and guidance, and the provision of capital funding, including the recoupment (within the overall funding available) of costs incurred by fire authorities in relation to the approved purchase of fire appliances and emergency equipment as well as construction and upgrading of fire stations.
The day to day cost of the provision of fire and emergency services, which is currently of the order of €270m, is met by local authorities, This pays for responding to fires and other emergency incidents, and the support services which are necessary to maintain 24 hour/ 365 emergency capability. In addition, related services such as fire prevention, fire safety inspections and major emergency management, are provided and funded by local authorities.
In keeping with other adjustments to capital programmes, it has been necessary to reduce the fire service capital allocation of my Department for 2012. However, much has been accomplished in the past decade to strengthen the infrastructure of fire services in Ireland. The significant resources provided to local authorities under my Department's fire services capital programme have resulted in a quality fire and rescue infrastructure throughout the country. Most of our fire stations have full facilities, the appliance fleet is in very good shape and specialist equipment is generally regarded as top class.
Given the quality of the existing infrastructure, this year's reduction is not expected to impact on or disrupt the delivery of front line fire service delivery. Continued investment in the fire appliance fleet has been identified as a key national priority for capital investment, given the current constraints on public finances. In order to deliver cost efficiencies in line with recommendations of the Local Authority Efficiency Review Group, a programme is currently underway which involves fire authorities aggregating demand and inviting tenders for 17 fire appliances, following the development of an agreed national fire appliance specification.
