Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 1 Dec 1993

Vol. 436 No. 5

Written Answers. - Dunshaughlin (Meath) Garda Station.

Mary Wallace

Ceist:

124 Miss M. Wallace asked the Minister for Justice if her attention has been drawn to the fact that Dunshaughlin Garda station, County Meath, was temporarily closed on 24 November 1993, due to rat infestation and that the station is to remain closed until a company (details supplied) has cleared the building; and the progress, if any, that has been made with regard to the refurbishment proposals for the station which is in an appalling condition.

Minister for Justice (Mrs. Geoghegan-Quinn)

I am aware of the problems regarding accommodation at Dunshaughlin Garda station, as outlined by the Deputy. The station party are at present operating out of Dunboyne Garda station but normal policing (foot and mobile patrols) is being provided as usual in the Dunshaughlin sub-district.

The Garda authorities are giving urgent attention to this matter. I understand that they have arranged for a caravan to be provided at the station to enable opening hours to be resumed as from tomorrow morning. This, of course, is only a temporary arrangement pending the solving of the immediate accommodation problem. Options for dealing with this problem, including the carrying out of repairs to the existing building and renting alternative accommodation are being considered with a view to an early solution.

With regard to a long term solution, the Office of Public Works carried out a feasibility study on the station earlier this year. While the results of the study show that the building is structurally sound a great deal of refurbishment work would be necessary to bring the station up to standard. This option together with others including the building of a new station are under consideration. The Deputy can be assured that the project is being advanced as quickly as possible and that there will be no avoidable delay.