Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)

I thank Senator Finucane for raising this matter and I welcome the opportunity to address it.

I understand that the prospect of a new Garda station for Galbally, County Limerick, arises in the context of an equity exchange programme being advanced by the Office of Public Works. The latter acts as the estate management agency for the Garda estate and deals with matters of property maintenance, ownership, etc. The equity exchange programme, which is an initiative of the OPW, is part of the effort of that office to maximise the State assets tied up in its extensive property portfolio. As far as Garda stations are concerned, the Minister of State, Deputy Parlon, and the Office of Public Works recognise that certain rural stations operate from old unsuitable buildings often situated on large under-utilised sites. The exchange programme proposes that, where feasible, such stations will be replaced by more appropriate Garda accommodation on suitable sites locally.

Following a survey of Garda properties carried out by the OPW, in excess of 100 stations have been deemed to be of poor quality and in need of major refurbishment. Many of those stations are dispersed throughout the country and consist mostly of basic one person units. The Office of Public Works considers that the cost of refurbishment of these stations would be substantial. To alleviate this problem, the Office of Public Works considers that the best way forward is to engage in an equity exchange programme with the private sector.

I understand that the programme, which is being driven by the OPW, will involve the disposal to private developers of certain Garda stations which are in need of significant refurbishment to bring them to an acceptable standard in exchange for alternative, good quality premises which meet modern Garda requirements. I am assured that these new premises will satisfy OPW specifications and Garda needs. Furthermore, I wish it to be understood that one of the conditions of this scheme will be that no existing Garda station will be closed or disposed of until a suitable replacement is ready for occupation. In other words, if a Garda station is situated on a site of two acres which are of substantial value, if it does not make sense to refurbish it in its current state and if a deal is put together with a developer for the site on the understanding that the latter must construct a modern shop-style station on the main street of the local town or wherever, it will only be at that stage that the developer will gain access to the vacated site. As a first step, the Office of Public Works intends to run a pilot scheme covering eight Garda stations clustered in the Tipperary-Limerick area. Galbally is one of these stations.

The programme does not involve the closure of any of the Garda stations involved. Indeed, it is an essential element of the programme that none of the stations involved is closed until the replacement is ready for occupation. Any new building will be built to the exact specifications of both the Garda Síochána and the Office of Public Works. If living quarters are required at any location involved in the scheme, and that is the situation in Galbally, they will be provided. Moreover, there will be no reduction in the level of existing Garda services in Galbally as a result of the programme.

I listened to the Senator's remarks about Bruff, the divisional area issue and the squad car but I am not in a position to make an intelligent response because I did not have notice about them. However, if the Senator wishes to write to me about those issues, I will be glad to respond.