Seán Kyne (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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19. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the progress in the establishment of a new Garda divisional headquarters in County Galway; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7108/15]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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The programme of replacement and refurbishment of Garda accommodation is based on accommodation priorities which are established by An Garda Síochána. The programme is advanced in close cooperation with the Office of Public Works, which has responsibility for the provision and maintenance of Garda accommodation. Funding for such works is provided for in the Vote of the Office of Public Works.

In July 2012, the Government announced an economic stimulus package which included three major Garda construction projects, namely the development of new Divisional HQ Stations at Wexford, Galway and Kevin St, Dublin. Initially, these projects were to be financed by way of public private partnership (PPP), however the Office of Public Works (OPW) was subsequently requested to develop the new facilities by way of a traditional procurement process.

Included in Budget 2015 is a capital allocation of €42 million in 2015 for the provision of these three new Garda Divisional Headquarters.

I am advised by the Garda authorities that the procurement process for the construction of all three Divisional Headquarters is significantly advanced with work expected to commence on the Galway project in the coming months.