€27bn Capital Investment Plan confirms Govt commitment to support Gardaí – Stanton

Fine Gael TD for Cork East and Chairperson of the Oireachtas Justice Committee, David Stanton, has welcomed the €27 billion, six year, Capital Investment Plan announced today which will see major investment in Garda resources, the courts and a new forensic laboratory.

“The Capital Investment Plan sees major investment going towards supporting the Gardaí through an upgraded fleet of vehicles, improved ICT, additional resources and a new forensic laboratory. This is in addition to an upgrade of our court services.

“The Government is committed to supporting Garda reform, through investment in much needed ICT infrastructure. This will help ensure that An Garda Síochána can deliver an effective and modern policing service.

“As part of the Capital Investment Plan, €205 million will be provided for investment in new and existing Garda ICT systems, €18 million will go towards refurbishing Garda Stations around the country, €46 million has been ring fenced to upgrade the fleet of Garda vehicles and funding has also been provided for the construction of a new Forensic Science Laboratory.

“Three new Garda Divisional HQs are currently under construction and the Capital Investment Plan will allow for their completion as €15 million has been made available.

“As part of the Capital Plan funding will be directed towards the courts facilities; seven courthouses will be constructed or redeveloped and a new, purpose built Family Law and Children’s Courts complex and significant development works will take place in Limerick and Portlaoise prisons.

“The investment in the Gardaí and our justice facilities is part of an overall €27 billion Capital Investment Plan which includes investment in roads, rail, health facilities, schools and broadband.
“The Plan announced by Government is affordable, sensible and it is consistent with our plan to eliminate borrowing by 2018. It will promote regional economic growth, supporting 45,000 construction jobs over the lifetime of the plan.
“The projects committed to are very much dependent on the choices that this Government and the next make to continue the recovery. We could not afford everything we wanted, but this plan represents the best of what can be delivered with the available resources. We must continue to make the right choices and invest wisely to ensure we never go back to the bad old days of boom and bust.”