Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 2 February 2017
58. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality when the new Garda regional and divisional headquarters at Murrough, Renmore, Galway city, will be completed and fully operational; and if it will result in an increase in Garda numbers in Galway city. [5098/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra59. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if the present Mill Street Garda station in Galway city centre will be retained as a Garda station when the new regional and divisional headquarters under construction at Murrough, Renmore, is completed; the activities that will be retained there; the number of gardaí that will be assigned to it; and if those numbers will be sufficient to provide a rapid response to any event occurring in the city centre. [5099/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 58 and 59 together.
As the Deputy will appreciate, the programme of replacement and refurbishment of Garda accommodation is progressed by the Garda authorities working in close cooperation with the Office of Public Works, which has the responsibility for the provision and maintenance of Garda accommodation. As Minister, I have no direct role in relation to these matters.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that the new premises is on course for completion in quarter 4 of this year. I have asked the Garda Commissioner for the other information requested and when it is to hand I will inform the Deputy accordingly.
The following deferred reply was received under Standing Order 42A
I refer to Parliamentary Question No. 58 and 59 for answer on 2 February, 2017, in which you requested information in relation to the new Garda Regional and Divisional Headquarters at Murrough, Renmore, Galway city and the existing Garda station at Mill Street.
As the information you requested could not be obtained in the time available, I undertook to contact you again.
You will appreciate that the programme of replacement and refurbishment of Garda accommodation is progressed by the Garda authorities working in close cooperation with the Office of Public Works (OPW), which has the responsibility for the provision and maintenance of Garda accommodation. The Garda Commissioner has responsibility for the day to day operation of An Garda Síochána and the allocation of personnel and resources and I, as Minister, have no role in these matters.
I have however been advised by the Garda authorities that the construction of the new Regional and Divisional Headquarters is progressing well and it is anticipated that the project will be completed in Q4 2017. Garda management will be making arrangements with the OPW in relation to the hand over of the new Garda station with a view to the new station being operational as close to the completion date as possible.
I have been further advised by the Garda authorities that Mill Street Garda station will be retained as a fully functioning District Headquarters when the new premises are completed. While it is not possible at this time to indicate the specific nature of the resources that will operate from Mill Street, local senior Garda Management will ensure that an effective policing service will be provided in the area.
I am assured by the Garda authorities that the allocation of resources in the Galway Garda Division is kept under continual review to ensure that optimum use is made of available Garda resources and that the best possible policing service is provided to the public.
I hope this information is of assistance.
