David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

On behalf of the Minister for Justice and Equality, Deputy Flanagan, I thank Deputy Cassells for rasing the matter. I can sense his passion for how strongly he feels on the issue.

I assure the Deputy that significant efforts are being made to enhance the working environment generally for members of An Garda Síochána and unprecedented investment has been committed under the capital plan 2016-21 to upgrade Garda premises. The Garda station building and refurbishment programme is an ambitious five-year programme based on agreed Garda priorities that will benefit more than 30 locations around the State. It includes more than €60 million of Exchequer funding as part of Government’s capital plan 2016-21 as well as a major public private partnership project. The programme is providing new stations and modernising older stations at key locations around the State, ensuring safe, modern working environments for members and staff of An Garda Síochána as well as fit-for-purpose facilities for visitors, victims and suspects. Although the programme does not include the development of a new divisional headquarters for County Meath provision is made under the programme for significant works at the existing divisional headquarters: the complete demolition of the existing cell block as well as the construction of a new cell block and overhead office accommodation at Navan Garda station. An Garda Síochána is actively engaged with the OPW to progress these works. When completed, these works will enhance the working conditions of all concerned. An Garda Síochána and the OPW are working closely together at the moment to bring this about.

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