Cecilia Keaveney (Donegal North East, Fianna Fail)
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Question 301: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the ranking which a Garda station (details supplied) in County Donegal had in each of the years 1998, 2000, 2002 and 2003; and the reason for the decrease in priority afforded to it in view of its important location; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16333/04]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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I understand that the Deputy has been informed by the Minister of State at the Department of Finance, Deputy Parlon, in a recent reply to Question No. 128 of 25 May 2004 that, for operational reasons , the completion of works to Burnfoot Garda station must precede works to the station mentioned by the Deputy. This is because it is necessary to have one of these stations operating with cell accommodation at any one time. This strategy has the agreement of the Garda authorities. In that regard, I understand from the Office of Public Works that it expects to have a contract placed for the necessary works to Burnfoot station in late July, 2004.

As regards the priority afforded to the station mentioned by the Deputy, it was not until 2002 that it was placed on the Garda building programme list at No. 32 because of the scope of the works envisaged for the station. In 2003 it was placed at No. 34 on the list, a position it still holds.

While I cannot say at this time when the project to provide the newly refurbished station will commence, I can assure the Deputy that the matter will be progressed as quickly as overall priorities within the Garda building programme and the availability of financial and other resources allow.