Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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98. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the degree to which refurbishment of various Garda stations throughout the country continues to be required; the extent to which updating of technology is involved; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7993/17]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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The Deputy will appreciate that the programme of replacement and refurbishment of Garda accommodation is progressed by the Garda authorities working in close cooperation with the Office of Public Works, which has responsibility for the provision and maintenance of Garda accommodation. This includes identifying and progressing any necessary remedial or refurbishment works required at individual stations and I, as Minister, have no role in these matters.

The Garda Station Building and Refurbishment Programme 2016-2021, which I announced in October 2015 with my colleague the Minister of State at the OPW, is based on agreed priorities which were established by An Garda Síochána. Over thirty locations around the country will benefit from the Programme which includes major refurbishment of stations and facilities including facilities for meeting victims of crime, essential remedial works to existing stations, development of large scale property and exhibit management stores, the upgrade of cells and provision of improved custody management facilities.

The Programme also makes provision for new Garda stations in Glanmire, Co. Cork and at Bailieborough, Co. Cavan through direct exchequer funding and a further three new Garda stations in Sligo, Macroom and Clonmel by means of public private partnership. In addition to the Programme, over €100 million has been provided for new Divisional Headquarters in Kevin Street, Dublin and Wexford, as well as for a new Regional Headquarters in Galway. Each of these projects are well under way and, I understand, are on track for completion this year.

A considerable amount of new Garda ICT solutions has also been delivered over the past number of years. These include the deployment of a secure national digital radio system (NDRS), the deployment and support of Garda and Community CCTV systems, an automated number plate recognition (ANPR) system and the addition of many new functions to the PULSE system, which itself is further supported by a dedicated Garda data entry service in Castlebar.

The Deputy will be aware that the Garda Síochána Modernisation and Renewal Programme 2016-2021 is intended to professionalise, modernise and renew An Garda Síochána to ensure that the organisation can meet present and future challenges. I am informed that the Programme aims to give effect to, amongst other things, a wide-ranging ICT programme involving some 23 initiatives to be delivered over a 5 year period. Examples of projects under the Programme include:

- a new computer-aided dispatch system to ensure responsive and coordinated deployment of Gardaí in the community;

- enhanced use of mobile technology to give the Gardaí secure mobile access to critical information when and where they need it;

- a new rosters and duty management system to facilitate better management of resources;

- investigations management systems to ensure enhanced management of crime investigations; and

- upgrading the automated number plate recognition system to enhance policing of road safety and compliance.

Government support for these initiatives is underpinned by significant investment of some €330 million, including €205 million under the Capital Plan, in Garda ICT infrastructure between 2016 and 2021. This major investment will allow An Garda Síochána to deploy the latest cutting edge technologies in the fight against crime and will facilitate progress on important reforms arising from the Garda Síochána Inspectorate's report on Crime Investigation. It is also intended to ensure that An Garda Síochána has the capacity to provide effective policing services to communities and respond to the evolving challenges of modern day criminal activity.