Pearse Doherty (Donegal South West, Sinn Fein)
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Question 175: To ask the Minister for Finance if he is satisfied that the property the Office of Public Works has sourced as temporary accommodation for the gardaí in Ballybofey, County Donegal, has been compliant with planning guidelines, particularly Part 5 of the Planning and Development Act; the public consultations that have taken place and the timeframe regarding the process taken by the OPW to begin refurbishment at the barracks in Ballybofey; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3621/11]

Martin Mansergh (Tipperary South, Fianna Fail)
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It is proposed that these premises at Ballybofey will be used on a temporary basis as a Garda Station, pending the completion of refurbishment works at the existing Station in a number of months' time.

The Commissioners of Public Works have not considered the position in relation to the temporary Garda Station accommodation at Ballybofey vis-a-vis Part 5 of the Planning and Development Act, as this aspect of the legislation does not relate to Garda developments, and is not therefore relevant to this case. The appropriate measure in the Planning Acts is contained instead within Part 9 of the Planning and Development Regulations 2001 (SI No 600 of 2001). In respect of the existing Garda Station, the Commissioners can confirm that, having received no observations from the Part 9 process conducted for the refurbishment of that building, the tendering process commenced on 17 September 2010, and all tenders were returned by 8 October 2010. Assessment of the tenders commenced thereafter leading to a letter of intent being issued on 6 December 2010 and an award of contract by the Commissioners on 22 December 2010. The contractor took possession of the site on 12 January 2011. The works are expected to last approximately 10 months.