Martin Ferris (Kerry North, Sinn Fein)
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Question 21: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if his attention has been drawn to the sub-standard and insufficient nature of the accommodation available to the Garda Water Support Unit in Athlone, the unnecessary hardship this causes for officers and that expensive equipment is exposed to excessive wear and tear as a result; if he has discussed the matter with the Garda Commissioner; and the steps that will be taken to address the matter. [46622/08]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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The Garda Water Unit is a national Unit based in Santry Garda Station and Athlone Garda Station.

I am informed by the Garda authorities that they are currently liaising with the Office of Public Works to identify suitable accommodation and storage facilities in Athlone for the members of the Garda Water Unit and their equipment, vessels and vehicles. A property has been identified as being suitable to meet these needs in the long term.

I am further informed that, in the interim, Garda management, in collaboration with the OPW, is providing significant additional accommodation in Athlone adjacent to the existing Garda station. While it is a matter for local management in the first instance to decide how the operational units of Athlone Garda Station are deployed within the additional accommodation, the expansion in accommodation should provide an immediate improvement in respect of accommodation for the Garda Water Unit on a temporary basis.