Kathryn Reilly (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

The matter of Bailieborough Garda station has been raised in this and the other House on several occasions, as well as in the council chambers in County Cavan. A new Garda station was needed in Bailieborough for quite some time because the current building on Barrack Street is in disrepair and is not suitable for the workload of the Garda district headquarters. Gardaí require modern and appropriation accommodation and citizens of the area need confidence in the premises from which law and order is upheld. As the district headquarters, the station should have a modern, state of the art facility to accommodate gardaí and others who work there, as well as members of the public who have reason to visit it. The existing station has long been unsuitable for policing purposes, and a recent report referred to it in terms including "Third World", "hazardous" and "health risk". I am concerned that conditions appear to breach security requirements at the station.

Bailieborough is only one of two district headquarters in County Cavan. The district headquarters in Cavan town is experiencing pressure due to the closure of the Ballyconnell station. It is important that the OPW bears is cognisant of the necessity to provide new accommodation at the earliest opportunity. I understand it is currently evaluating a number of proposals for the new station in Bailieborough, having advertised for potential sites or buildings after being unable to identify suitable State owned sites. The application deadline was 26 February and the OPW has since reported that it received a significant number of proposals involving a variety of solutions. However, a date for conclusion of the evaluation process has not yet been set, although the OPW has indicated that it intends to advance the process as a priority. It is imperative that the public and those who work in the station are given some idea of when a decision will be made. I appreciate that significant work had to be done in assessing the applications and identifying the correct premises but more clarity should brought to the decision-making process.There will still be a range of other factors to consider. All stakeholders in the community and county are anxious to see this much-needed facility progressed for the staff who have to work in the station, as well as for the general public who use it. It should be provided as a matter of urgency. I compliment other Senators and Deputies who have raised this issue in recent weeks. I add my voice to those seeking clarity as to when the consultation and evaluation process will be concluded. Will the Minister of State provide a timeline because there is nothing worse than being left in the dark?