John Cummins (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Over the past years we have seen huge investment and resourcing in An Garda Síochána to increase the strength of the force. It is now nearly at 15,000 with the highest budget ever of €3 billion in 2021. New and upgraded equipment, fleets of vehicles and new stations have been delivered in places such as Wexford and Kevin Street, not too far away from where we are now. In Waterford there has been an increase of 29% in Garda numbers between 2011 and September of this year. This is hugely welcome. Their presence has certainly been felt in Waterford. The work they have done throughout the pandemic has been exemplary, which I would like on the record of the House. The increase in numbers presents it own challenges, however, with regard to space constraints and the facilities available to gardaí and civilian staff. I am sure this is reflected in many parts of the State. In Waterford, which I know best, space is certainly at a premium in Ballybricken Garda station. Now is the time to focus on the next phase of investment and development of the force.Waterford city is home to the divisional headquarters for Waterford, Carlow and Kilkenny. While the station was state-of-the-art when it was opened over 20 years ago, further investment is needed to expand on the existing site, perhaps over the former labour exchange, an old building that the Garda occupies but which is in need of significant upgrade and expansion works. Otherwise, perhaps the solution is the construction of a new substation on the outskirts of the city to house some of the divisional units and equipment that are currently on the constrained site. The latter would probably be a more appropriate use, given the projected population growth in the national planning framework. Given the fact that the current plan runs from 2016 to 2021, early in the new year would be an opportune time to have a debate on the new capital plan for investment in An Garda Síochána. I know that responsibility for Garda stations straddles both the OPW and the Department of Justice. I ask the Leader to organise a debate on this early in the new year.