asked the Minister for Finance the reason for the delay in carrying out repairs to the living accommodation for a family (name supplied) at the Garda barracks, Thomastown, County Kilkenny.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - County Kilkenny Garda Barracks.
31.
Plans and specifications for a scheme of improvements to this station, including improvements to the residential part, have been prepared and it is hoped to invite tenders for the work within the next fortnight. Because of changes in the accommodation requirements, the proposals as originally planned had to be modified and this of course involved time.
These repairs have been requested since 1966 and the latest changes only came in in March. I contacted the Parliamentary Secretary and he gave me a very quick reply 12 months ago, and again two months ago, telling me that these repairs would be carried out almost immediately. We are hearing this again. Can he now guarantee that these repairs will be carried out immediately?
I would like to explain the position to the Deputy. The Garda station at Thomastown, as the Deputy knows, is an old building which houses the station proper and the married quarters. A scheme of improvements was prepared some considerable time ago but some changes were needed as the building accommodation for single men is no longer required and an office for a female clerk had to be provided. The revised plans and the specifications are now almost ready and I expect it to go to tender in about two weeks.