We move now to Deputy Harkin of the Independent Group.

I want to raise the issue of the complete downgrading of Sligo from the perspective of policing. Approximately 18 months ago, there was a complete U-turn on building a new Garda station. The OPW had purchased a new site and plans were drawn up to build this badly needed Garda station. Even though all that money was spent and promises were made, a complete U-turn saw the entire project scrapped and a completely useless refurbishment programme set in place. Yesterday, Garda management in Sligo, the OPW and the local authority housing section met to discuss the suitability of the station. It is my understanding that there was general acceptance at the meeting that the footprint of the existing station is insufficient. Double the space is needed and the only way the existing station would be suitable is if certain facilities, such as disability access, were cut back. Up to now, it was rank-and-file gardaí saying this but it is now my understanding that it is also the position of Garda management.

To add insult to injury, we also have a situation where there is no armed response unit in Sligo. I checked the situation yesterday and found that from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., an armed response unit, if needed, would have had to come from Ballyshannon, if it was not already engaged in north, south, west or east Donegal. From 7 o'clock last night to 7 o'clock this morning, if an armed response unit was needed, it would have had to come from Galway, some 140 km away. That is assuming it was not needed in counties Galway, Roscommon or Longford, in which case a unit would have had to come from Cavan. It is totally untenable that for 12 hours out of every day, sometimes in the daytime and sometimes at night, if an armed response unit is needed in counties Sligo or Leitrim, it has to come from Galway. In the case of towns like Manorhamilton, for example, that is a distance of 160 km.

It seems the message from the Government to the people and the Garda in Sligo is that policing there is being downgraded. People need answers from the Taoiseach and his Government as to why this is happening.

I thank Deputy Harkin for raising this issue. We have provided substantial resources to An Garda Síochána. Some of the issues she has raised are operational issues. Garda management, I am told, keeps the distribution of resources under continual review in the context of policing priorities and crime trends to ensure their optimum use. As the Deputy knows, the Garda Commissioner is responsible by law for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána. That includes the deployment of resources and personnel matters. Allocation of Garda resources is made in the light of operational demand, which includes the deployment of personnel across the various Garda divisions.

A total of €1.952 billion was allocated to the Garda Síochána in 2021, which is an unprecedented budget. Obviously, Covid-19 is a factor in that and has placed considerable strain and stress on An Garda Síochána, the members of which have responded magnificently to the challenges of the pandemic. I want to acknowledge that. The budget for 2021 will allow for the recruitment of up to 620 new gardaí and an extra 500 Garda staff. Substantial resources have been allocated.

On Sligo Garda station, I do not have the details in respect of the sequence of events the Deputy outlined. Other Deputies, including Deputy MacSharry, have been in touch with me on this issue. I will talk to the Minister for Justice and ask whether we can get a report back on it. We believe and accept that all facilities have to be fit for purpose for An Garda Síochána to operate within. There have to be quality buildings. There are obviously challenges and the capital programme is there to improve and enhance. This is something we believe in. I will talk to the Minister in regard to this issue. As I said, all other matters are, in essence, operational matters for Garda management and the Garda Commissioner.

I thank the Taoiseach for his response and for undertaking to speak to the Minister for Justice. It is the case that many of these decisions are operational. However, I have a letter from the Minister dated 16 February telling me that a review of the decision to build a new station in Sligo determined the project to be no longer justified. What does that mean? Back in 2017, more than 150 gardaí walked out of Sligo station because of deplorable working conditions. How bad was it for that to happen? This is not a politician saying a new Garda station is needed. It is the gardaí themselves and Garda management saying it.

The Taoiseach stated that approximately €2 billion is allocated to the Garda Síochána. To where has that money been allocated? He said there will be 620 new gardaí. I can tell him they will not be accommodated in Sligo Garda station because it is bursting at the seams. This decision needs to be revisited now.

First, I accept the Deputy's commitment to this issue. As I said, I will discuss it with the Minister. Fundamentally, Garda management is responsible for the deployment of resources and it may have a particular perspective on the facilities. I will seek a report on this matter and the background to it from the Minister. As I indicated, very substantial resources of close to €2 billion have been allocated to the Garda. By any yardstick, that is a very significant increase and represents a demonstration of the Government's commitment to resourcing An Garda Síochána in challenging times. I do not get involved in the operational allocation of that funding, be it capital or current. I will engage with the Minister in regard to this specific issue.