Jim O'Callaghan
Question:214. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the average running costs associated with a functioning Garda station; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31705/18]
View answerThursday, 12 July 2018
Questions (214)
Written answers
As the Deputy will be aware, it is the Garda Commissioner who is responsible for managing and controlling generally the administration and business of An Garda Síochána. Further, the programme of replacement and refurbishment of Garda accommodation is progressed by the Garda authorities working in close co-operation with the Office of Public Works (OPW). As Minister, I have no direct role in these matter.
I have been informed by the Garda authorities that the Garda estate comprises 564 Garda Stations, over 200 official accommodation properties as well as a significant number of central facilities such as Garda Headquarters, Harcourt Square and the Garda College in Templemore.
The budgets allocated to An Garda Síochána and the OPW respectively to provide for enhancements and upkeep of the buildings in the Garda estate are allocated to the totality of the Garda estate as outlined above. In addition, running costs arise in connection with services such as electricity, fuel, broadband and so on.
As the Deputy will appreciate, Garda stations range in scale from large Regional and Divisional Headquarters accommodating high levels of personnel delivering multiple policing functions, down to small stations operating predominantly in rural areas that may in some cases accommodate one or two Gardaí and perform public-facing functions with limited opening hours only.
In the circumstances, I am advised by the Garda authorities that it is not possible to determine a cost that would accurately represent the average running cost of a Garda station given their widely differing sizes, the variety of functions conducted in each type of station, the number of personnel attached to stations and the cost of services provided.