Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 July 2018
674. Deputy Catherine Martin asked the Minister for Justice and Equality further to Parliamentary Question No. 259 of 19 June 2018, when he expects to hear back from the Garda Commissioner about the reopening of Stepaside Garda station; the expected timeline for the reopening of the station; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32719/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra848. Deputy Catherine Martin asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if the decision on the construction of a modular Garda station for Stepaside, County Dublin, is final (details supplied); if it is still planned that the station itself will be refurbished or rebuilt; if consideration has been given to making drawings or models of the modular construction available to the local community in advance of construction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33568/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra849. Deputy Catherine Martin asked the Minister for Justice and Equality when a decision will be made on the opening hours and number of gardaí stationed in respect of the opening of a Garda station in Stepaside, County Dublin, modular or otherwise; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33570/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 674, 848 and 849 together.
The Deputy 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 responsibility for the provision and maintenance of Garda accommodation. This includes identifying and progressing any necessary remedial or refurbishment works required at individual stations. As Minister, I have no direct role in these matters.
As the Deputy will be aware, the Programme for a Partnership Government commits to a pilot scheme to reopen 6 Garda stations to determine possible positive impacts on criminal activity, with special emphasis on burglaries, theft and public order.
The Garda Commissioner's final report on the matter, which is available on my Department's website, recommended that Stepaside Garda Station be reopened, along with stations in Bawnboy, Co. Cavan, Ballinspittle, Co. Cork, Donard, Co. Wicklow, Leighlinbridge, Co. Carlow and Rush, Co. Dublin.
As the Deputy is aware, at the outset of the process the Garda authorities provided a brief of requirements to the OPW in relation to the reopening of each of these 6 stations and requested the OPW to undertake technical surveys to determine the works which would be necessary to enable the stations to reopen. The OPW in turn concluded the necessary technical surveys and advised the Commissioner accordingly.
I can confirm that the Commissioner, following consideration of the OPW technical surveys of each of the 6 stations, has now identified the organisation’s preferred way forward, bearing in mind operational needs, costs, timeframe for delivery and other factors. Engagement between the OPW and An Garda Síochána has provided the necessary further detail to allow the pilot programme of reopenings to proceed to the next stage of implementation.
In the case of Stepaside, I can confirm that it has been agreed that the optimum solution is to reopen the station by providing a modular building on the grounds of the former station. The future use of the former station building is a matter for the OPW.
Finalisation of design, planning (where required) and procurement for each of the 6 stations included in the pilot programme will now be progressed by the OPW, in conjunction with An Garda Síochána, in line with all applicable processes and procedures.
It is not possible to say at this stage when the 6 stations will reopen as this depends on a number of factors. As the Deputy will appreciate, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the distribution of resources, including personnel and vehicles, and I have no role in the matter.
