Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 24 October 2018
189. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the status of the progress of the new Garda Station in Macroom, County Cork; if his attention has been drawn to the poor condition of the current Garda Station in Macroom; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43981/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 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.
The Garda Building and Refurbishment Programme 2016-2021 is an ambitious 5-year Programme based on agreed Garda priorities, which continues to benefit over 30 locations around the country. The Programme includes over €60 million of Exchequer funding as well as a major Public Private Partnership (PPP) project to deliver stations at Macroom, Clonmel and Sligo. This is in addition to the provision of over €100 million for delivery of 3 new Divisional and Regional Headquarters in Wexford, Galway and Kevin Street, Dublin, each of which, I am pleased to confirm, have been completed and are now operational.
Regarding the PPP to deliver stations at Macroom, Clonmel and Sligo, I am informed by the OPW and the Garda authorities that the OPW has acquired sites for the development of the new stations in Macroom and Sligo. The site for the new Garda Station in Clonmel is already in State ownership and work is continuing between the OPW and Tipperary County Council on its transfer from the Council to the OPW. On completion, ownership of all three sites will be vested in the OPW.
The development of PPP projects is progressed under the auspices of the National Development Finance Agency (NDFA). My Department is in contact with the NDFA with a view to progressing the matter further. It is not possible to provide a timeframe for the completion of these projects at this point.
In relation to the existing station at Macroom, I am advised by the Garda authorities that a limited amount of additional accommodation has been provided for Garda use, pending development of the new station. I am further informed that, on foot of a request for renovation works to the public office, the Garda authorities have requested estimated costings from the OPW, for consideration having regard to available resources and overall Garda accommodation priorities.
