Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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336. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if there is a budget allocation to refurbish and make habitable official Garda living accommodation. [30919/18]

Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy will be aware, it is the Garda Commissioner who is responsible for managing and controlling generally the administration and business of An Garda Síochána. Further, the programme of replacement and refurbishment of Garda accommodation is progressed by the Garda authorities working in close co-operation with the Office of Public Works. As Minister, I have no direct role in these matters.

There has been very significant investment in Garda resources across the State in recent years. Considerable efforts are being made by the Government to enhance the working environment generally for members of An Garda Síochána and major investment has been committed under the Capital Plan 2016-2021 to upgrade Garda premises.

The Garda Station Building and Refurbishment Programme 2016-2021 is an ambitious 5 year programme, based on agreed Garda priorities, that will benefit over thirty locations around the country and includes over €60 million of Exchequer funding as part of Government’s Capital Plan 2016 – 2021 as well as a major Public Private Partnership project.

The programme is providing new stations and modernising older stations at key locations around the country, ensuring safe, modern working environment for members and staff of An Garda Síochána as well as fit-for-purpose facilities for visitors, victims and suspects. The works carried out at each location are agreed on a case-by-case basis as between OPW and An Garda Síochána.

In addition to the Building and Refurbishment Programme, I am informed by the Garda authorities almost €650,000 is available in the Garda Vote for 2018 for minor maintenance works, including fire protection, throughout the Garda estate. I am informed that there is no specific budget allocated to refurbish official Garda living accommodation. Applications for refurbishment of properties in the Garda estate, including official accommodation, are made by Divisional Officers and are assessed with having regard to the overall accommodation requirements of An Garda Síochána and the budget available.