Ulick Burke (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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Question 161: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the co-ordination that exists between his Department and the Office of Public Works in respect of capital projects at Garda stations; his views in this context on the fact that Portlaoise Garda Station has been waiting for a modern building for over 15 years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21157/08]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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A total of €260 million has been provided in the National Development Plan for the provision of new and upgraded Garda accommodation. The Garda accommodation programme is based on agreed priorities established by An Garda Síochána and it is brought forward in close cooperation with the Office of Public Works (OPW), who have responsibility for the provision and maintenance of Garda accommodation. Officials from my Department, the Office of Public Works and the Garda Síochána have regular meetings to oversee the various projects. In addition, a high-level strategic Garda Accommodation Board with members drawn from my Department, the OPW and An Garda Síochána has been established to carry out a review of Garda accommodation with a view to preparing a short and longer term strategy for all accommodation. On a practical level, and with the introduction of various provisions of the Garda Síochána Act 2005, project management matters and regular maintenance issues are dealt with directly between the agencies involved which has led to improved efficiencies and reduced administrative overheads.

I have been advised by the Garda authorities that a site has been identified for the new Divisional Headquarters in Portlaoise. Progress is being made in finalising the necessary legal arrangements and these must be concluded before the development phase of the project can commence. I am also advised by the Garda authorities that, in the interim, some remedial works are being provided at the existing station.