Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 12 December 2023
50. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Justice what progress has been made on the development of the Garda station in Dublin 13-Dublin 17; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55126/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI again raise the issue of the proposed Garda station, also mooted to be a divisional headquarters, in the Dublin 17 and Dublin 13 area. Will the Minister give me an update?
From the outset, I assure the Deputy that the development of a substantial new Garda station and facilities on Dublin City Council lands at the corner of the R139 and the Malahide Road at Northern Cross is considered a strategic priority for An Garda Síochána and has the full support of Government. I believe the station would be a great addition, and that is the view of An Garda Síochána, not least because of the landmark location. It is in a high visibility area with a huge catchment. There is obviously significant housing development taking place. It is a key artery into the city and straddles two councils.
The Office of Public Works is leading on this project and there is ongoing and positive engagement between the OPW and Dublin City Council. This is in consultation with An Garda Síochána on the development of the site at Northern Cross. The OPW has undertaken a high level impact study of the site. There is a detailed brief of requirements being developed with An Garda Síochána. Under the national development plan, we are committed to investing significant levels of capital funding into An Garda Síochána to deliver a Garda station modernisation and refurbishment programme, to deliver strategic ICT and digitalisation projects, and to providing a modern, fit-for-purpose Garda fleet. This is a core part of the Government’s plan to build stronger, safer communities. The Northern Cross project is obviously a substantial Garda station including a new divisional headquarters for the Dublin metropolitan region north. It is one of the most significant Garda building investments in the National Development Plan 2021-2030 and I very much look forward to its development.
There is ongoing engagement between the OPW and Dublin City Council. This is the point we are at. I would like it to be moving quicker, but the support is there and the capital is there. It is a matter of making sure that whatever needs to be agreed between the OPW and Dublin City Council can happen as quickly as possible. My understanding is that there have been more positive soundings in the past weeks. An Garda Síochána is waiting to get a letter back to that effect.
It is positive that the process is ongoing. I do not need to remind the Minister that the population in that area of Dublin has exploded, with a huge number of additional housing units due to be constructed in the coming years. There are concerns in that general area that things are not knitting together as neatly as they should. A lot of community infrastructure has come after the fact, such as schools and other basic provision for people. A Garda station lends itself to the feeling of community, security and togetherness. Is it envisaged that other Garda stations may close to facilitate the opening of this divisional headquarters? It was suggested in a previous answer that Coolock Garda station may be subsumed into this new, larger divisional headquarters.
I am not aware that any final decision to that effect has been made. However, if it is a new divisional headquarters, which is a significant development in itself, there will have to be a review of the resources within the vicinity. That would include local Garda stations. The most important thing is to get this project moving as quickly as possible. As the Deputy said, this is an area of strategic importance. It is a community developing at a rapid pace. It straddles two local authority areas as well as being a main artery into the city centre. From a location and a community point of view, it is important there is an understanding of the community, the way in which it has expanded, and the needs of the wider community. Again, this is an ongoing discussion between the OPW and Dublin City Council, and I hope an agreement can be reached as soon as possible.
The development of this site and this divisional headquarters will be crucial to the faith local people will have in agencies of the State. A lot of them feel let down. The Minister mentioned there are two local authorities. There is any amount of campaigning that consistently goes on for basic provision of community infrastructure in the wider area of Clongriffin, Belmayne and Parkside. We are not serving them well if these things are not seen to be provided in a swift manner. I appreciate the support of Government. I do not get anything negative from the Minister's answer. The process has to be gone through. The Minister can appreciate that if you live there, have invested in that area or community or you took that risk to start something afresh with your family, you need the people in power to step up and provide the basic provisions that will provide security for your family and community.
I again reiterate my support for this project, and the full support of An Garda Síochána, the OPW and the wider community for this project. We are hopefully turning a corner in achieving progress and getting that across the line. I intend to have further meetings with An Garda Síochána more generally on capital projects in the new year. I hope we will have some progress made at that point. However, I think everybody involved in the development of this station needs to do everything they can to make sure it progresses. I know that is happening.
