Jim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 487: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if a new facility for inservice training at the Garda College or elsewhere will be built; if he proposes to continue renting alternative accommodation; and the length of time he proposes to do so. [8945/05]

Jim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 489: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform when work began on the four storey administration block at the Garda College; when this work is expected to be completed; the estimated cost of this work; the persons this administrative block will accommodate; and the numbers involved. [8947/05]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 487 and 489 together.

It is not proposed to build a new facility for inservice training at the Garda College or elsewhere. The majority of inservice and other training courses will be undertaken at a location outside the college from April 2005 until the end of 2008, at which time such courses will revert to the Garda College.

Work began on the new four storey administration block at the Garda College on 6 January 2005 and is expected to finish before the end of the year. The estimated cost of this new building is €12.6 million. This is part of an overall €20 million plan to provide the necessary facilities at the college arising from the Government decision to increase the strength of the force to 14,000.

The new block will facilitate college management personnel in appropriate office accommodation and, by so doing, free up space elsewhere in the college for student classrooms. It will also provide facilities for recruit gardaí undergoing various training related activities, such as computer and other studies as well as fitness assessment, self defence and first aid training.