Tommy Broughan (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
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177. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the projects her Department is prioritising in budget 2017; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26130/16]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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Discussions in relation to Budget 2017 are currently ongoing with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. As the Deputy will be aware, my Department's responsibilities are extensive and spread over 8 separate votes. The funding requirements for the Justice Vote Group under discussion include maintaining resourcing for the Garda Síochána across the range of its activities, including further increasing Garda numbers, and ensuring that my Department and the range of important agencies operating under its aegis are adequately funded to deliver the important public services for which they are responsible. In addition to staffing costs, capital funding will be required for continuing improvement to infrastructure and the construction and refurbishment of buildings, including in relation to the forensic science laboratory, Garda stations, courthouses and prisons.