Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The Deputy will be aware that refurbishment of Garda accommodation is progressed by the Garda authorities in close co-operation with the Office of Public Works which has responsibility for the provision and maintenance of Garda accommodation. As Minister, I have no direct role in these matters.

As the Deputy will be aware, A Programme for a Partnership Government commits to a pilot scheme to reopen six Garda stations, urban and rural, to determine possible positive impacts that such openings will have on criminal activity, with special emphasis on burglaries, theft and public order offences.

I recently published the second interim report of the Garda Commissioner which recommended that the former Stepaside Garda station in Dublin be reopened on a pilot basis. It indicated that, subject to further analysis, the Commissioner was likely to recommend in the final report the inclusion of the former stations at Leighlinbridge, County Carlow and Donard, County Wicklow in the pilot scheme. If a second station is to be reopened in Dublin, the report indicates that the Commissioner is likely, subject to further analysis, to recommend that the former station at Rush, County Dublin be included in what will be a pilot scheme.

I am informed that An Garda Síochána is liaising with the Office of Public Works on the proposed reopening of the former Garda station at Stepaside.

I understand the timeframe for reopening the station is dependent on a number of factors, including the brief of requirements from An Garda Síochána, the extent of the required refurbishment of the station based on current building regulations; the need to comply with fire regulations and provide disability access to the station. There are also agreed standards and specifications for Garda detention areas and custody suites which would have to be incorporated into the refurbishment. Once the specification has been agreed to, the works will go to tender and commence once the contract has been placed.

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