Fire station money is not ringfenced

Mr McGimpsey told DUP MLA George Robinson that whilst a new fire station for the town was one of the Northern Ireland Fire Service's priority projects no funding has been ring-fenced for the 2011/12 - 2014/15 period.

Mr Robsinson asked the Minister for an update on the new fire station.

He replied: "This project was identified as one of a number of capital priorities by NIFRS in its Strategic Development Plan.

"However, no funding has been ring-fenced as we move into the new Budget period 2011/12- 2014/15. Once I am allocated a budget for these years, I will be in a position to prioritise within that budget.

"I continue to remain committed to providing first class fire fighting facilities

Last month Mr McGimpsey said the case for building a new fire station in Limavady in the next ten years will be reviewed in the face of huge financial pressure on the health and public safety budget.

This was inevitable due to the "huge financial pressures" on the Department of Health's capital and revenue budgets.

In March this year the Acting Chief Fire Officer at the NIFRS wrote to East Londonderry MLA Gregory Campbell confirming a new Fire Station for Limavady was contained in the Fire Station Replacement Programme for the next 10-15 years.

He wrote: "A number of sites in the Limavady area are being explored in terms of site suitability. It is our intention to progress work towards the replacement of a Fire Station in Limavady within 2011-2014 period contingent upon funds being made available to progress the project."