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

I thank Deputy O'Donovan for raising this matter. The question of the supports An Garda Síochána receives and the need for modernisation and change systems are very much on the agenda today. What the Deputy raised, namely, the question of the allocation of resources for new Garda stations is an issue that applies and needs to be dealt with in many parts of the country. The Deputy spoke in particular about Newcastle West.

The Deputy made a number of points about new methods and more transparency in decision-making. He made the comparison with school building programmes, which was a good comparison. If there are lessons to be learned there about how building projects are managed, they should, and can, be learned.

The programme of refurbishment and replacement of Garda accommodation throughout the country is determined on the basis of accommodation priorities, which are, in the first instance, established by An Garda Síochána. Of course, this must be put into the context of the recession and the difficulties in regard to capital funding in recent years. I am glad to say that with the improving economic situation there is greater capital funding available than hitherto for these various projects.

As the Deputy said, the provision of Garda accommodation, including refurbishment works, site purchases, the provision of new buildings and the examination of potential sites for the location of Garda stations, comes under the remit of the Office of Public Works, which has responsibility for capital expenditure on Garda accommodation. Garda accommodation projects are progressed in the context of the availability of funding within the OPW Vote and in the light of the priority attached to each project by the Garda authorities. I am very keen to see a clear list of priorities from the Garda Síochána, which is determined by it and is publicly available so that we know where a project is placed on the list. As capital becomes available, a project will receive attention.

I am advised that proposals for refurbishment works at Garda stations throughout the State, including Newcastle West Garda station, are examined on an ongoing basis. As I said, they are progressed in the context of An Garda Síochána's identified accommodation priorities and the availability of funding. There are three parts. I have been told by the Garda authorities that the allocation of all Garda resources, including accommodation, transport and personnel, is subject to ongoing analysis and review to ensure that the best possible use is made of available resources. In that context, the Deputy will be aware that in this year's budget, I announced a further capital investment of €42 million in 2015 to provide for the construction of a number of new Garda divisional headquarters. I know that is not what the Deputy asked about but I make the point that capital is going into the Garda Vote for the development of new divisional headquarters in Galway, Wexford and Kevin Street in Dublin, which is important. That is being done using the methodology I described, namely, a combination of work between An Garda Síochána and the Office of Public Works. That procurement process is at an advanced stage. This is a very significant development in Garda infrastructure, as the Deputy will know. An additional €10 million has been provided for Garda transport in the year 2014-15, which shows the commitment of this Government to improve the facilities.

The Deputy made a very persuasive case in regard to Newcastle West. I will forward the details of what he said to the OPW and An Garda Síochána and will determine precisely where Newcastle West is on the list of priorities in regard to the refurbishment of accommodation.

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