asked the Minister for Finance if he is aware of a detailed report (details supplied) concerning the condition of accommodation at the Templemore Garda Training Centre, County Tipperary; if he is aware that the condition of the centre has shown very considerable deterioration since 1964; the efforts if any, the Garda authorities and the Office of Public Works are making to restore the complex to a reasonable condition; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions . Oral Answers . - Garda Training Centre .
36.
: I have seen the report referred to by the Deputy and I do not accept that conditions at the Garda Training Centre have shown considerable deterioration since 1964. Many improvement works have been carried out in the intervening years. Maintenance works are continually being carried out by the Office of Public Works and those items of a maintenance nature mentioned in the report are at present receiving attention.
: Has the Minister inspected the centre in question?
: I have not, but we have carried out considerable repairs to the centre.
: Might I suggest that the Minister should visit the centre?
: What precisely does the Minister mean by the phrase "receiving attention"? Does that mean that somebody is looking at them and scratching his head or actually doing something about it?
: All requests for maintenance works at the Garda training centre get prompt attention from our Office of Public Works when we are notified by the Department of Justice or the Commissioner. We have spent £13,331 on general maintenance this year and we also placed major contracts at a cost of £116,652. If the Deputy wishes I will mention the improvements that we are carrying out and that we have carried out over the past 12 months.
: Can the Minister say if all Garda stations are treated in the same way, if reports of repairs necessary made to the Board of Works are dealt with as expeditiously as he says reports from the training centre in Templemore are dealt with?
: We try to do our best to have all the Garda stations maintained in proper repair at all times.
: Several months ago I put a question to the Minister. Is the Minister aware that since then the Board of Works have not even spent a "fiver" in Drogheda despite all the promises?
: Is the Minister aware that a senior Garda officer inspected this building at 3 a.m. one morning and he has since been promoted to assistant commissioner?
: Next question.
: That happened. Is the Minister aware of it? Did he get a detailed report on that?