Scheme for new Garda stations is put on hold

Government plans to replace 100 rural Garda stations with new premises through a land exchange programme with private developers have been suspended because of a lack of interest in the scheme among the private sector.

In February the Minister of State at the Department of Finance, Mr Tom Parlon, said a firm of consultants had been appointed to manage a pilot exchange scheme involving eight Garda stations in rural parts of Limerick and Tipperary.

It was hoped that private developers would offer sites on which they would build new stations close to the existing stations. They could then apply to develop the sites of the old stations.

However, the response to media adverts was so poor that the consultants advised against the awarding of any contract.The roll-out of the scheme nationally was dependent on the success of the pilot project, and the OPW is now considering its options.