Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 21 October 2021
122. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Justice the capital expenditure measures Budget 2022 allocation for her Department contains; if she will provide the priorities in the area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51078/21]
View answerI wish to advise the Deputy that the capital allocation for the Justice Vote Group encompasses An Garda Siochána, Courts, Prisons and Justice Votes. The capital expenditure ranges across a number of areas such as ICT, transport investment and capital building and refurbishment works.
The capital allocation for Justice in 2022 of €270 million will facilitate a programme of sustained investment supporting an efficient and effective justice system providing important Government services and activities across policing, prisons and the courts. As the Deputy may wish to note, three large infrastructural projects provided for in the National Development Plan are due for completion next year; a new laboratory for Forensic Science Ireland at Backweston in Co. Kildare, the redevelopment of Limerick Prison and a large capital development for An Garda Síochána at Military Road Dublin 8 (to replace the Harcourt Square facilities).
In addition to these projects, the capital investment granted to the Justice Sector will also allow for;
- Continuing investment in building and refurbishment projects across the Justice sector in new and refurbished Garda stations, in court buildings and prisons, and in advancing the PPP project in conjunction with the National Development Finance Agency to develop two Garda stations (Clonmel and Macroom) and a family law complex at Hammond Lane, Dublin 7.
- Increased investment in modernisation and reform programmes across the Justice sector including increased ICT expenditure in digital services, modernising service delivery, improving efficiency, reducing paper and providing data informed insights into policy development.
- Continuing investment in the Garda Transport Fleet including the deployment of electrical vehicles where appropriate to ensure that An Garda Síochána has a modern, effective and fit for purpose fleet.
Furthermore, the capital allocation for An Garda Síochána in 2022 will continue to facilitate the significant ongoing programme of investment in ICT modernisation to further enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of policing services.
