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Fire Service

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 13 May 2020

Wednesday, 13 May 2020

Ceisteanna (1242)

Frank Feighan

Ceist:

1242. Deputy Frankie Feighan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to plans by Sligo County Council to downgrade the Sligo fire service to a retained only service; his views on the decision to downgrade the service; if Sligo County Council will be contacted in order to address financial issues that may have influenced the decision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4409/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The provision of a fire service in its functional area, including the establishment and maintenance of a fire brigade, the assessment of fire cover needs and the provision of fire station premises, is a statutory function of individual fire authorities under the Fire Service Acts 1981 and 2003. My Department supports fire authorities through general policy setting and preparing legislation, providing a central training programme, issuing guidance on operational and other related matters and providing capital funding for priority infrastructural projects.

I am not aware of any planned changes by Sligo County Council in respect of their Fire Services function. However, I understand that there are matters within that Fire Service that are currently the subject of ongoing discussions with the staff representative body in the Workplace Relations Commission. In this regard, it should be noted that under Section 159 of the Local Government Act 2001, staffing and organisational arrangements within a local authority are a matter for the authority's Chief Executive.

With regard to financial issues, the running cost requirements of the service are met on an annual basis by Sligo County Council, through the annual budgetary process decided by the elected members, as a reserved function.

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