Question
7. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Justice and Equality when Stepaside Garda station will reopen; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44071/17]
Answer
Deputy Charles Flanagan: The Deputy will be aware that refurbishment of Garda accommodation is progressed by the Garda authorities in close co-operation with the Office of Public Works which has responsibility for the provision and maintenance of Garda accommodation. As Minister, I have no direct role in these matters.
As the Deputy will be aware, A Programme for a Partnership Government commits to a pilot scheme to reopen six Garda stations, urban and rural, to determine possible positive impacts that such openings will have on criminal activity, with special emphasis on burglaries, theft and public order offences.
I recently published the second interim report of the Garda Commissioner which recommended that the former Stepaside Garda station in Dublin be reopened on a pilot basis. It indicated that, subject to further analysis, the Commissioner was likely to recommend in the final report the inclusion of the former stations at Leighlinbridge, County Carlow and Donard, County Wicklow in the pilot scheme. If a second station is to be reopened in Dublin, the report indicates that the Commissioner is likely, subject to further analysis, to recommend that the former station at Rush, County Dublin be included in what will be a pilot scheme.
I am informed that An Garda Síochána is liaising with the Office of Public Works on the proposed reopening of the former Garda station at Stepaside. We have no clear definition of objectives and no underpinning legislation and I see none is planned in the legislative programme. We have no commitment to provide the required funding for its implementation. Does the Minister accept that the paltry increase in funding for the Arts Council was already committed to and that, therefore, in real terms, it is not additional money? Will he give a renewed commitment to double the funding for the sector over a five-year period? Will he give us a sense of when we can expect to receive a final version of Culture 2025 and indicate whether the recommendations of the committee in that regard will be heeded?