Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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344. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality her plans to facilitate a purpose-built laboratory for Forensic Science Ireland at Backweston in County Kildare, with particular reference to facilities in urgent need of modernisation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41737/15]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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The need for a new purpose-built forensic science laboratory appropriate to the State’s requirements is long-standing. Well-advanced plans for a new facility in Backweston, Co. Kildare, were cancelled by the previous Government in 2009 as a result of the financial crisis. I was happy, therefore, to secure the funding necessary to proceed with construction of a new laboratory in the recently announced capital expenditure programme, with these funds set to become available in 2019. In light of the importance of this project and the pressing need for these facilities, however, I intend to keep the projected start date under review and want to make clear that if an opportunity arises to bring forward the start date of construction at Backweston, then this opportunity will be pursued.