asked the Minister for Justice if a site has been acquired with a view to building houses for Gardaí in Carlow town; and when building will commence.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Houses for Carlow Gardai.
Five Garda houses will be provided at Carlow by the National Building Agency Limited. The agency have informed me that sites are being acquired and tenders have been invited for the erection of the five houses. It is expected that if a satisfactory tender is received a building contract will be placed in early September and building operations will commence shortly thereafter.
Is the Minister aware that five houses were contracted for months ago and that when three were practically ready the contract was cancelled?
The Deputy knows, as I know, all about this situation. As the Deputy knows, the houses which were available were not acceptable for certain reasons to the National Building Agency. I regret, as much as the Deputy, the fact that we had to turn them down and refuse to take them. I am pressing the National Building Agency to provide these alternative houses as soon as possible.