Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank Deputy Aindrias Moynihan for raising this matter. I am aware of the Deputy's consistent interest in the provision of a new Garda station in Macroom. I appreciate the reason he has raised the matter again today.

The OPW has responsibility for the provision and maintenance of Garda accommodation. As a result, all works to the Garda estate involve close co-operation between the OPW and the Garda authorities. We all want fit-for-purpose facilities for Garda members and staff, as well as for the members of the public interacting with them. It is precisely for this reason that significant investment is being made by the Government in the Garda estate. The scale of what is involved in this task should not be underestimated. There are over 560 Garda stations across the country. A significant number of these are old buildings. Good progress is being made in addressing issues in the Garda estate, as well as expanding it to cater for the ongoing growth in Garda members and staff. This is being made possible through the Garda building and refurbishment programme for the period 2016 to 2021. In addition to that ambitious programme, other major works now ongoing to the Garda estate include the development of a new facility at Military Road, Dublin, the major refurbishment of Fitzgibbon Street station, Dublin, the pilot Garda station reopening project and the construction of the new Garda station at Macroom.

The construction of the new Garda station at Macroom is to proceed on the basis of a major PPP project which was decided to be formed as a bundle also including construction of new Garda Stations in Clonmel and Sligo. I accept the process has been more protracted than any of us would have wished. As the Deputy will recall, there were difficulties in acquisition of the sites for development of some of these stations. Those difficulties have been resolved. Since then, all relevant stakeholders have been engaging together in an attempt to progress the matter as quickly as possible. I do not have any details on the fire station but I would be happy if the Deputy gave me a separate note on that. I would not like to see any other extraneous issues coming in at this stage to impact on the progress for the Garda station. I acknowledge the work of An Garda Síochána, the OPW, my Department and the NDFA, the procuring authority for PPPs.

The is a complex process but it is vital to get the projects right at the planning and design stage. This has taken some time. This work is important. Macroom has been chosen by An Garda Síochána to be the new divisional headquarters for Cork county under the new model. Clearly, the design and construction of the station will have to allow for a station of sufficient size and facilities to serve that purpose. This work is being progressed as a priority by all concerned. I understand the level of frustration the Deputy feels. I want matters to proceed as quickly as possible. We must allow the experts, in particular in the OPW and the NDFA, to progress this properly and in such a way that the station that is built at the end of the process is one which delivers good value for public money, is fit-for-purpose for gardaí, Garda staff and the public interacting with them. Every effort is being made to progress this issue, working to improve conditions and facilities at the station.

I am happy to engage further with the Deputy on this matter when we resume after the Christmas break.

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