Eamon Scanlon
Ceist:657. Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the position regarding the upgrade of Tubbercurry Garda station, County Sligo; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33397/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuesday, 23 July 2019
Ceisteanna (657)
Freagraí scríofa
As the Deputy will appreciate, the Garda Commissioner is primarily responsible for the effective and efficient use of the resources made available to An Garda Síochána. This includes responsibility for the identification of requirements in relation to Garda accommodation and close cooperation thereafter with the Office of Public Works (OPW), which has responsibility for the provision and maintenance of the Garda estate.
I have asked the Garda Commissioner for the information requested and I will write directly to the Deputy when I receive it.
The following deferred reply was received under Standing Order 42A
I refer to Parliamentary Question No.657 for answer on 23 July 2019 regarding the upgrade of Tubbercurry Garda station, Co. Sligo. As the Deputy may recall, the information he requested could not be obtained in the time available and I undertook to contact him again when the information was to hand.
I would first note that the Office of Public Works (OPW) has responsibility for the provision and maintenance of Garda accommodation. Replacement and refurbishment of Garda accommodation is progressed by the Garda authorities working in close cooperation with the OPW. As Minister, I have no direct role in these matters.
However I have consulted with An Garda Síochána in relation to your query. I understand that, in light of pressure on Garda accommodation in Tubbercurry, An Garda Síochána has requested the Office of Public Works to consider acquiring a suitable property in the area to meet Garda requirements. I am informed that the OPW is currently exploring options in that regard.
More generally, you may wish to be aware that there has been unprecedented investment in An Garda Síochána in recent years, in support of the Government’s commitment to ensuring a strong and visible police presence throughout the country, to maintain and strengthen community engagement, provide reassurance to citizens and deter crime.
€1.76 billion has been allocated to An Garda Síochána for 2019 as well as €92 million capital investment which is being made in An Garda Síochána this year. This forms part of a wider capital investment programme involving investment of €342 million in Garda ICT infrastructure and €46 million in the Garda Fleet between 2016 and 2021.
Considerable capital investment is also being made in the Garda estate. The Garda Building and Refurbishment Programme 2016-2021, based on agreed Garda priorities, continues to benefit over 30 locations around the country. It is underpinned by over €60 million Exchequer funding and also includes a major Public Private Partnership (PPP). The clear goal of this investment is to address deficiencies in the Garda estate and provide fit-for-purpose facilities for Garda members and staff as well as the public interacting with them.
I am sorry that I cannot provide any more detail on Tubbercurry Station at this time, but I hope this information is of interest and some assistance.