Vol. 493 No. 2
40 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the extent, if any, to which the need for new Garda stations, including refurbishment of existing facilities, is required; the proposals, if any, he has to meet this requirement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15432/98]
As the Deputy will know, much of the accommodation occupied by gardaí up to recent years was very old, many stations having, in fact, been former RIC barracks. However, over the last number of years many new stations have been built and much refurbishment of existing stations has been undertaken.
I have an ongoing building programme to deal with those Garda stations which yet remain to be replaced or refurbished. About 30 major stations of divisional or district status remain to be tackled. Capital funding of approximately £7 million is available through the Office of Public Works for the building programme this year and I will press for the maximum funding of the programme going forward into next year and beyond.
