Colm Burke (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State for making time available. Since she is from my constituency she will be aware of the issues I am raising relating to Blarney Garda station and the station in Glanmire. My understanding is that tenders were invited and have been received for Blarney Garda station. Given that there are some changes in the way we are organising the deployment of gardaí throughout the city and county, the refurbishment of the station is an important issue for Blarney. The station was damaged and my understanding is that tenders were submitted. I am interested in the timescale in respect of the signing of the contracts, the time period it is likely to take to carry out the work and when we can expect to have gardaí back in the station.

The second issue relates to Glanmire where, as I understand it, there is a proposal for a totally new station. My understanding is that there has been some delay in the process. It might be helpful if there was clarification, especially for the local community. This area has grown a good deal in the past 15 or 20 years. There is a large number of houses there now but there is also a large young population. There is a need to have some certainty with regard to what is proposed for the Glanmire area.