P J Sheehan (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 42: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his views on whether it is satisfactory that the large town of Portlaoise has been without an adequate building for its Garda station for more than a decade; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32801/08]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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The detailed allocation of Garda resources, including accommodation, is a matter for the Garda Commissioner to decide in accordance with his identified operational requirements. 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), which has responsibility for the provision and maintenance of Garda accommodation. I am advised that negotiations are ongoing by the OPW for the procurement of a site for the construction of a new Divisional Headquarters. I am also advised by the Garda authorities that in the interim, to alleviate the shortage of accommodation, a plan for temporary accommodation has been drawn up to provide accommodation for the Traffic Corps and additional space for offices and locker rooms so that space in the station will be freed up for other operational Garda units. In addition a number of urgent remedial works have been provided at the existing station.