Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 20 November 2012
477. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will confirm the announcement that Clonmel Garda Barracks will be relocated to the former Kickham Barracks site; if he will confirm when funding will be made available for the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51369/12]
View answerThe Deputy will recall that in my reply on 7 November 2012 to a Priority Question, in my role as Minister for Defence, I indicated that discussions have been taking place between the Department of Defence and other parties in relation to the future of the former Kickham Barracks in Clonmel, Co Tipperary. As I also stated in the course of supplementaries, these discussions include the question of the sale of a portion of the site for a new Garda station in Clonmel.
The current position is that following the most recent round of discussions, which have taken place within the last week, I expect that a portion of the former barracks will be made available for the provision of a Garda station.
The Deputy will appreciate that the new District Headquarters project will involve substantial building and fit out costs. Currently the relevant finance is not available within the Vote of the Office Of Public Works from which the capital costs of Garda accommodation are met and, accordingly, I am pursuing the funding issue with my Government colleagues. I am optimistic that the required funding will at a later stage become available in an appropriate Capital Program.
