THIS WEEK THE interim Garda Commissioner Noirin O’Sullivan said no more Garda stations would be closing down, and today, the Minister for Justice Frances Fitzgerald announced that new ones are being built.
Speaking in the Dáil today, Fitzgerald said that the construction of a number of new Garda Divisional Headquarters have been given the green light.
New headquarters
The three new Garda Divisional Headquarters will be located in Galway, Wexford and Kevin Street in Dublin and will cost €42 million to build.
I am advised that the procurement process, in relation to all three projects, is at an advanced stage. I am further advised that, subject to the successful completion of each procurement process, work is expected to begin on each development over the coming months.
She said that proposals for refurbishment works at Garda stations throughout the State are examined on an ongoing basis. If refurbishments are needed they will be carried out if there is available funding within the Office of Public Works.
Fitzgerald said the allocation of all Garda resources, including accommodation, transport and personnel, is subject to ongoing analysis and review “to ensure that the best possible use is made of available resources”.
She said the development of three new Garda Divisional Headquarters represents a very significant investment in Garda infrastructure.
This investment, when taken in conjunction with the additional funding of €10 million for Garda transport in 2014/2015 announced in the recent Budget is an indication of my commitment to ensure that An Garda Síochána are, to the greatest extent possible, provided with the necessary resources to provide an efficient and effective policing service throughout the State.
Today’s announcement comes a day after the Garda Inspectorate report was highly critical of the processes, structures and training of An Garda Síochána.
The report found that the force was in much need of “modernisation” and that technology was 30 years behind other police forces around the world.
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