Written answers
Tuesday, 28 March 2006
Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform
Garda Stations
11:00 pm
Seán Fleming (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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Question 382: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will outline in tabular form the Garda building programme list in priority basis from number one to number 20; if he will provide a brief description of each project; the year each project is expected to commence construction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11796/06]
Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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I am on record as acknowledging that certain Garda accommodation is not up to standard. However, considerable investment is being made, in terms of money, time and effort, to improve the working conditions for all gardaà in stations across the country.
The prioritisation of works is dependent on a large number of factors which means priorities are constantly reviewed and updated as circumstances dictate. There are a large number of projects, large and small, which require to be undertaken to address overall Garda accommodation needs. In addition to regular maintenance works, emergency repairs etc., which are addressed as required, works are not always undertaken in order of agreed priority. For instance, the commencement of a project may first be dependent on the successful acquisition of a suitable site for the proposed development, and this militates against the compilation of any static list. Decisions on priorities are taken by Garda headquarters taking into account the merits of the case made by local Garda management and associated reports supplied by the Office of Public Works. Moreover, as part of the Garda building programme process, the agreement of the main Garda representative associations is also sought and obtained.
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