Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 5 February 2014
130. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the extent to which it is likely to be possible to improve or upgrade Garda stations as necessary throughout the country in the current year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5712/14]
View answerThe programme of refurbishment of Garda stations is based on accommodation priorities which are established by An Garda Síochána. The programme is advanced in close co-operation with the Office of Public Works, which has responsibility for the provision and maintenance of Garda accommodation. Funding for such works is met from the Vote of the Office of Public Works. This programme will be pursued in the context of An Garda Síochána's identified accommodation requirements and in the light of available resources within the Vote for the Office of Public Works.
As the Deputy is aware, the provision of three new Garda Divisional Headquarters for Kevin Street in Dublin, Galway and Wexford was included in the special Government stimulus package announced in July 2012. It is intended that the projects in question will be delivered by means of a Public Private Partnership and work is being undertaken by the relevant agencies in the light of the Government announcement. As the arrangements to be put in place for Public Private Partnerships are complex, it is not possible at this stage to indicate when the specific elements of the projects will be completed. However, I can assure the Deputy that the matter is being treated as a priority.
