Denis O'Donovan (Fianna Fail)
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I welcome the Minister.

Tim Lombard (Fine Gael)
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It is a pleasure to welcome the Minister to the Chamber. I wish to discuss the condition of the Timoleague Garda station. Timoleague is a lovely village in the heart of west Cork. It is a tourism area, but the indigenous population needs to be supported. A key factor in that is the services it receives, be they the post office, shops or the Garda station. A garda lives in the station. It is an important part of the community and we hope that it can be upgraded. We must have such institutions down south, given that they promote those elements that are important for rural communities.

There is a significant tourism element to this Garda station. Courtmacsherry, a prominent tourism town that does well in that regard, is literally down the road. Considerable amenities also attach to the village, for example, long walkways and the abbey. We hope that the Department will consider this station as part of a national redevelopment and invest money in it so that it can be upgraded. It is a key part of the physical and social infrastructure of the area. If we can improve such elements, we can improve the quality of life for people on the ground.

I hope to get a suitable response from the Minister so that I can assure those from Timoleague with whom I have been speaking that their Garda station will be developed.

Denis O'Donovan (Fianna Fail)
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The Senator is moving west.

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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I am answering on behalf of the Tánaiste, who cannot be present.

I thank the Senator for raising this issue. He will appreciate that the programme of replacement and refurbishment of Garda accommodation is progressed by the Garda authorities working in close co-operation with the Office of Public Works, which has responsibility for the provision and maintenance of Garda accommodation. This includes identifying and progressing any necessary new build and any remedial or refurbishment work required at individual stations. The Tánaiste has no role in these matters.

I am informed that the opening hours for Timoleague Garda station, which forms part of the Bandon district, are 10 a.m. to 12 noon, Monday to Sunday, with calls diverted automatically to Bandon Garda station outside of these hours. I understand that the strength of the Bandon district is 103 members, three Garda reservists and 11 civilian staff. The Garda authorities have informed me that there are no plans at present to undertake significant works at the station.

The Senator will be aware of the significant current investment in the Garda estate. For example, the 2016-21 Garda station building and refurbishment programme, which was announced in October 2015 by the Tánaiste and the Minister of State at the OPW, is based on agreed priorities established by the Garda. More than 30 locations around the country will benefit from the programme, which includes major refurbishment of stations and facilities, for example, facilities for meeting victims of crime, essential remedial works to existing stations, development of large-scale property and exhibit management stores, the upgrade of cells and the provision of improved custody management facilities. The programme is being delivered by the Garda authorities in co-operation with the OPW, which has responsibility for capital expenditure in this area. Under the programme, new Garda stations will also be provided in Glanmire, County Cork, and Bailieborough, County Cavan, through direct Exchequer funding and a further three new Garda stations will be provided in Sligo, Macroom and Clonmel by means of public-private partnerships.

In addition to the programme, more than €100 million has been provided for new divisional headquarters in Kevin Street, Dublin, and Wexford as well as for a new regional headquarters in Galway. These projects are under way and are expected to be completed in 2017.

These measures cannot be viewed in isolation from the Government's overarching commitment to ensuring a strong and visible police presence throughout the country in order to maintain and strengthen community engagement, provide reassurance to citizens and deter crime. In furtherance of this, the Senator will be aware that, in July 2016, the Government approved the Tánaiste's proposal for an overall Garda workforce of 21,000 personnel by 2021 comprising 15,000 gardaí. 2,000 Reserve members and 4,000 civilians. In addition, the Government's Capital Investment Plan 2016-2021 provides some €205 million for investment in Garda ICT infrastructure and €46 million for investment in the Garda fleet. Taken together, the Tánaiste believes that these measures reinforce the Government's commitment to enabling significant reform in An Garda Síochána and to providing a high-profile and visible policing service for our communities.

Denis O'Donovan (Fianna Fail)
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An bhfuil tú sásta? Has the Senator received his answers? He should be brief.

Tim Lombard (Fine Gael)
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I thank the Cathaoirleach for giving me the opportunity to come in again. I will be very brief.

I thank the Minister for his response. The Government's investment in An Garda Síochána and related services is greatly welcomed. The Minister mentioned major developments in Macroom and Cavan, but we also need to look at smaller Garda stations. Garda stations in small towns and villages must not be allowed to fall into disrepair, resulting in an infrastructural deficit. The Department of Education and Skills is a great example of how the State can do a fantastic job in reacting. I hope, therefore, something similar can be done in this regard. We should consider upgrading Garda stations throughout the country. New stations are being built, including in Glanmire, but we also need to examine the nuts and bolts of planned infrastructure. Garda stations in small towns and villages will be important in the future.

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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The Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality has set out her plans within the confines of the existing budget. We are entering into a mid-term review of capital expenditure programmes and a public consultation process is under way. One of the key themes of the plan will be how to deliver sustainable regional and rural development. We will have to examine closely priority areas where we could make investments in regional and rural networks. I cannot decide whether investing in rural Garda stations is the priority, or whether there are other investments that could boost regional and rural development. As regards my own Department, building education networks in the regions will be vital to achieving our ambitions to have strong and vibrant rural communities. I am sure each Minister will be examining these matters in the context of the challenge to embed regional development as we approach the mid-term review, but in any capital plan resources will be scarce. I will, however, convey the Senator's views to the Tánaiste.