Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 238: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if his attention has been drawn to the deplorable and dilapidated condition of the Garda station at Ballycary, Castlebar, County Mayo and to the fact that this building constitutes an eyesore in a community in which efforts are being made to improve the visual aspect of the village; when it is proposed to provide a new Garda station; if, due to inaction by his Department, he will allow and make arrangements for the local community council to paint the exterior of the building and to clean up its grounds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21343/05]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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There are plans to provide a new Garda station at Ballyvary, Castlebar, County Mayo. The Commissioners of Public Works are currently considering how best to progress matters. Accordingly, it will be appreciated that it is not possible, at this stage, to say when the project to provide the new Garda station will commence.

The Garda occupies some 703 Garda stations throughout the country. Many of them, including Ballyvary, need to be rebuilt, updated, modernised or replaced. This is being done in a structured and systematic way. Much work has been done in recent years and more is scheduled over the next few years. In the order of €112 million will be spent between now and the end of 2007 on the overall Garda building programme. This level of investment demonstrates the high priority I and the Government afford to the programme. There has been significant recent work to improve Garda stations and build new stations around the country. With regard to the painting of the current building by the local community council, the council should contact the Office of Public Works which has responsibility for the upkeep of State properties.