Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for her reply. I agree that the priority list needs to be very clear. In that context, public representatives like myself should be able to have an input into it in the same way we can make a case for a school in our constituencies which, as constituency representatives, we do all the time.

However, I go back to the central point in regard to the current system of allocating resources while welcoming the fact capital has been made available and the Minister and her predecessor have recommenced Garda recruitment, which had not happened for eight years and which needs to be acknowledged. Several districts around the country were amalgamated and there was an understanding at the time in regard to accommodation needs. In this case, 89 people are working in a building which is essentially a bungalow built in the 1970s and not fit for purpose. I am sure that is replicated throughout the country. I know there are budgetary constraints and it is in that context that the Minister might see if a new model could be considered through public private partnership. I attended the opening of a school in Doon, County Limerick, last week. It was a public private partnership and was opened by the Minister's colleague, the Minister of Education and Skills. It was one of a bundle of schools built, operated and maintained by the private sector for use by the public sector, so this can be done more cost efficiently.

I know Garda divisional headquarters has been refurbished, including Henry Street in Limerick city, which the Minister visited recently. Her visit was very welcome in the context of what the gardaí in Limerick have done over many years. I again invite the Minister to visit the Garda station in Newcastle West when she gets the opportunity to see the conditions with which the men and women, civilian and Garda personnel, as well as the public must contend in 2014. They deserve something better in a district headquarters which covers an area larger than most counties. As I said, it is larger than County Monaghan. I ask the Minister to visit at the first available opportunity to see the station for herself because there is no doubt the conditions are not conducive to a proper working environment for the gardaí, the civilian staff and the public in 2014.

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