asked the Minister for Justice when work on the reerection of a new Garda Síochána station in the town of Roscommon is likely to commence.
Ceisteanna-Questions. Oral Answers. - Roscommon Garda Station.
I am not in a position to say when the actual work is likely to commence.
The original plans and specifications have had to be altered considerably. The new barracks will be used for administrative purposes only and it will be smaller than the building which was originally intended.
Could I ask the Minister to take into consideration the fact that unemployment is a very serious matter in Roscommon town at the moment and, if he looks at the census returns, he will find that the rate of emigration is unprecedented. There has been a drop of over 22 per cent. in the past five years, and in view of the circumstances, would he try to expedite this constructive work to get much needed employment, even of a temporary nature, in the locality?
I should like to meet the Deputy in regard to this matter, but I could not hold out any hope for the simple reason that the original plans have been altered and where before it was intended to provide residential apartments, it has now been decided to have the barracks for administrative purposes, with the result that it will be necessary to get new architect's plans and drawings and that will take some considerable time. Therefore, I could not hold out any immediate hope.