Eamon Scanlon (Sligo-Leitrim, Fianna Fail)
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85. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the status of the upgrade of Tubbercurry Garda station in County Sligo; if she has evaluated the proposals submitted to the Garda building unit; the extent of the facilities required; if she will issue approval; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18432/17]

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 the responsibility for the provision and maintenance of Garda accommodation. As Minister, I have no direct role in relation to these matters.

The Deputy will be also aware that the Garda Síochána Building and Refurbishment Programme 2016 – 2021, which I announced in 2015 with my colleague the Minister of State at the Office of Public Works, will benefit some 30 locations around the State and includes a number of projects, such as:

- a Public Private Partnership (PPP) project to deliver new Garda stations in key areas, including Sligo;

- 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;

- upgrade of cells and provision of improved Custody Management Facilities.

This is in addition to the major ongoing developments of new Garda Stations at Kevin St in Dublin, Wexford Town, and Galway.

I understand that the Programme, which reflects the priorities of An Garda Síochána, does not include provision for refurbishment of Tubbercurry Garda station. This said, I am advised by the Garda authorities that, in late 2016, they requested the Office of Public Works to carry out a cost assessment of works required to provide additional accommodation and facilities at the station and that Garda management continues to engage with the Office of Public Works with a view to identifying the priority works that could be undertaken to enhance the facilities of the Garda station.