asked the Minister for Justice what is the position regarding the building of the new Garda station at Waterford city.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Waterford City Garda Station.
154.
The Commissioners of Public Works have informed me that working drawings for the new station at this centre are in course of preparation and that it is hoped to place a contract at the end of this year.
I was told that nearly eight months ago. It must have been in cold storage again. That is the danger, that it gets into cold storage.
Did you say which year?
It may be the Kathleen Mavourneen system—it may be for years and it may be for ever.
I should point out to Deputy Lynch that we are at the present time availing of the services of the Office of Public Works to build an unprecedented amount of accommodation for the Garda Síochána.
For how many guards?
For the Garda Síochána as a Force. We are building 1,000 houses for married members and we are spending approximately six times more money per annum than has ever been spent before.
How many stations are you closing up?
Very few.
Indeed you are closing stations. We will have only this station in the middle of Waterford.
I think Deputy O'Higgins is referring to stations being closed without replacement. In the case of Waterford, as Deputy Lynch well knows, what we are doing is regrouping a lot of old stations into one.
And bringing about a dreadful position there.