Cormac Devlin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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142. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will initiate a review conducted by the OPW in conjunction with An Garda Síochána to investigate if the former Garda station on Tubbermore Road, Dalkey could be utilised by An Garda Síochána for the purposes of a base for a dedicated public transport unit or other divisional unit due to its proximity to the DART line. [32483/21]

Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael)
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The Commissioners of Public Works have advised me that operational matters for An Garda Síochána are exclusively a matter for the Garda Commissioner under the Garda Síochána Act 2005. As such, it is a matter for the Garda Commissioner to determine any future requirements for the organisation.

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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143. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the progress of the Office of Public Works project at Carlow castle. [32329/21]

Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy is aware, extensive damage was caused to Carlow Castle in February 2020 as the result of a storm. Subsequent investigations led to the discovery that the base of the collapse was constructed on clay foundations which has had major consequences for the safe repair and reconstruction of this section of wall. OPW is currently working to secure an appropriate method of ensuring that the tower can be made safe for the future.

Ballasts, needed to provide stability and balance, are now in place as is a temporary roof. Once the temporary works to prevent further damage are signed off, the next phase of design will commence. This will involve surveys and archaeological investigation at the base of the structure to assess it's current condition. This will inform the repair methodology going forward. It is too early at this stage to predict what the results of these surveys and investigations will be.