Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The increased funding provided to the Department of Justice and Equality under dormant accounts funding means we have an increase of €233,000 for victims of crime. We want to get people to use the helpline service. Part of the money will go to ensuring the helpline is available and accessible to victims. We are giving €50,000 to recruit and train volunteers, which will help. We are also giving €50,000 for the campaign to increase callers to the helpline. We are also providing funding to support services for victims of general crime. The sum of €233,000 will enable greater support to be given to the organisation. I recently increased the funding for Advic, although it was not a huge increase. Organisations like this, working with victims, deserve support and it will become even more necessary under the EU victims directive. It is desirable anyway, but one of the points specifically made under the directive is that organisations working with victims should be further supported by Governments. We will see more of that.

With regard to the building of the new courthouse in Mullingar, alternative accommodation will be sourced in the area, which is normally what is done. The final question concerned the Garda station in Athlone. There are three major projects and we have €42 million for the Garda headquarters. Athlone is on the building priority list and is being advanced with the OPW, subject to available funding. The funding for refurbishment is in the OPW Vote. I will meet the Minister of State with responsibility for the OPW and the Garda Commissioner to discuss the priority list. I would like to see it made publicly available in order that people know there is a plan in place to refurbish Garda stations. As funding becomes available, the work will be done. Garda stations throughout the country need refurbishment and we must make capital allocations for the work to be carried out. We need the transparency of a published priority list. From the capital point of view, it is dealt with by the OPW. I will be having a meeting shortly with the Department of Justice and Equality and the OPW to discuss how can move on the list.