Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 27 November 2018
88. Deputy Shane Cassells asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the steps that have been taken by the OPW in the securing of a site for the development of a new Garda divisional headquarters in County Meath as requested by the chief superintendent in the division; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49196/18]
View answerThe Office of Public Works (OPW) has advanced a comprehensive Garda Building Programme in recent years that has provided Garda accommodation such as, new builds, major extensions and refurbishments to existing Garda Stations. The design and construction of these new works has provided An Garda Síochána with appropriate, fit for purpose working conditions and facilities on a prioritised basis.
The Office of Public Works advances the provision of facilities for An Garda Síochána in line with the requirements identified by An Garda Síochána and included in its list of Capital Programme Priorities. The Garda Commissioner determines the priority of capital projects to be undertaken and this informs the schedule of capital works that is planned and undertaken by the OPW.
A new Garda Divisional Headquarters at Navan, Co. Meath has not been identified as a priority in the current programme. However, the existing Garda station at Navan has been identified by An Garda Síochána as a priority for the cell upgrade programme.
As the Deputy is aware, the Government also launched a Capital Investment Plan for An Garda Síochána for 2016-2021. This includes plans for the major refurbishment of Garda Stations and facilities for meeting victims of crime, essential remedial works to certain Garda properties, upgrading and modernising prisoner detention areas, developing Property and Evidence Material Stores (PEMS) in a range of locations. OPW has also recently completed the construction of three new major Garda Regional and Divisional Headquarters. A Regional Headquarters in Galway was completed in July 2018, one at Kevin Street, Dublin also this year and one in Wexford was completed in September 2017.
