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Garda Accommodation

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 6 November 2018

Tuesday, 6 November 2018

Ceisteanna (388, 429, 430, 431)

Mary Lou McDonald

Ceist:

388. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the details of the divisional protective services units building programmes that will commence in 2018. [44751/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Mary Lou McDonald

Ceist:

429. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will provide a list of all operational divisional protective services units, in tabular form. [45558/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Mary Lou McDonald

Ceist:

430. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will provide a list of An Garda Síochána divisions that will and will not require building works to provide for their protective services units in tabular form. [45559/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Mary Lou McDonald

Ceist:

431. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the amount of the €17 million capital budget allocated by his Department to the An Garda Síochána building programme for 2019 that has been directed to completing the necessary building works to accommodate the delivery of protective services units to all divisions by the end of 2019. [45560/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I propose to take Questions Nos. 388 and 429 to 431, inclusive, together.

As the Deputy will be aware, under the Modernisation and Renewal Programme for An Garda Síochána 2016-2021, Divisional units of Garda National Protective Services Bureau are being rolled-out in two phases, supported by the Garda National Protective Services Bureau. Phase One has now been completed, with Divisional Protective Services Units established in three Divisions, in the DMR West, Cork City, and Louth Division.

I am informed by the Garda authorities that additional Divisional Protective Services Bureaus are now in the process of being established in DMR South Central; Waterford; Kerry; Kilkenny/Carlow; Limerick and Galway Garda Divisions. I am informed by An Garda Síochána that it is intended that Divisional Protective Services Bureaus will be established in all remaining Garda Divisions before the end of 2019.

I am informed by the Garda authorities that this initiative is being managed collaboratively between the Garda National Protective Services Bureau and each Divisional Officer. The pilot will inform the full roll-out to each Garda Division, by assessing and evaluating the Units initially selected including with reference to for example geographical size and population profile.

The Deputy will appreciate that matters relating to Garda accommodation are 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. As Minister, I have no direct role in these matters.

However I can confirm that, to enable the Commissioner and Gardaí to perform their functions, Budget 2019 provides an unprecedented level of public funding of €1.76 billion for An Garda Síochána in 2019. This includes an increase in the Garda capital allocation from €61 million to €92 million in 2019, a 50% increase. This will facilitate investment of around €65 million in ICT, a further €10 million investment in the Garda fleet and €17 million in the Building Programme. This investment clearly demonstrates the Government’s commitment to ensuring a strong and visible police presence throughout the country in order to maintain and strengthen community engagement, provide reassurance to citizens and deter crime.

The provision of suitable accommodation for protective services units is a matter for An Garda Síochána and the OPW. The manner in which accommodation is delivered varies depending on the requirements for each location.

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