Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 12 February 2019
309. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the capital expenditure proposed by An Garda Síochána in the north Dublin Garda division in 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6775/19]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, there has been unprecedented investment in An Garda Síochána in recent years, in support of the Government’s commitment to ensuring a strong and visible police presence throughout the country in order to maintain and strengthen community engagement and provide reassurance to citizens and deter crime.
The resources provided by Government to An Garda Síochána have reached unprecedented levels, with an allocation for 2019 of €1.76 billion. This represents an increase of over 6% over the initial allocation for 2018.
Very significant capital investment is also being made in An Garda Síochána. This includes
- investment of €342 million in Garda ICT infrastructure between 2016 and 2021 to enable An Garda Síochána to deliver on reform and deploy the latest cutting edge technologies in delivering professional policing and security services for the community;
- investment of €46 million in the Garda Fleet over the same period; and
- considerable capital investment is also being made in the Garda estate.
As the Deputy will appreciate, it is a matter for the Commissioner to efficiently manage these resources provided for An Garda Síochána and to determine the allocation of budgets to all Divisions, including those in the Dublin Metropolitan Region, based upon operational requirements. I am informed by the Garda authorities that Garda management keeps the distribution of resources under continual review so as to ensure their optimum use.
For example, I can confirm to the Deputy a capital allocation of €10 million will be available to An Garda Síochána for the Garda fleet in 2019. I am not in a position to confirm to the Deputy today what the exact allocation will be across the Garda Divisions, including those in the DMR, of the additional vehicles which will be purchased from this allocation.
A total of €61 million has been allocated to Garda ICT infrastructure and Communications for 2019. I understand that a full list of ICT projects for 2019, together with a breakdown of the roll-out of additional ICT infrastructure across the Divisions, is still being finalised within An Garda Síochána.
In terms of the Garda estate, I would recall that the Office of Public Works (OPW) has the responsibility for the provision and maintenance of Garda accommodation and accordingly the programme of replacement and refurbishment of Garda accommodation is progressed by the Garda authorities working in close cooperation with the OPW.
The Garda Building and Refurbishment programme 2016-2021 will continue to be delivered during 2019. The programme includes planned works at over 30 locations, including:
- major refurbishment of selected stations and facilities, including facilities for meeting victims of crime;
- essential remedial works to selected existing stations; and
- development of large scale Property and Exhibit Management Stores (PEMS).
The programme also includes a Cell Refurbishment Programme and provision of improved Custody Management Facilities.
In terms of the Garda Divisions in the DMR, this investment includes the development of a new Garda Station and Immigration Facility at Transaer House in Dublin Airport. Work on this project commenced in 2018. Construction works are ongoing on this development and I am informed by the Garda authorities that they are expected to be complete by the end of Q1, 2019.
Other major building projects which will continue to be progressed during 2019 for the benefit of the Divisions in the DMR include the ongoing refurbishment of Fitzgibbon Street station and development of a facility at Military Road, Dublin.
In addition, the Programme for Government contained a commitment to re-open six Garda Stations on a pilot basis to determine possible positive impacts on criminal activity, with special emphasis on burglaries, theft and public order. A report was prepared by the Garda Commissioner which identified the six Garda Stations to be reopened on a pilot basis, including two stations in the DMR, namely Rush and Stepaside. I understand that the Garda authorities and the OPW are cooperating closely on implementation of the pilot project. Reopening of all relevant stations is being pursued as a priority and I am informed by the OPW that it expects that work will be completed at all remaining stations in 2019.
The clear goal of this significant investment is to address deficiencies in the Garda estate and provide fit-for-purpose facilities for Garda members and staff as well as the public interacting with them in locations identified in accordance with agreed Garda priorities.
