Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 23 April 2026
419. Deputy Paul Nicholas Gogarty asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration regarding the provision of land at the state-owned Citywest complex for the promised 24-hour Garda station; if his Department will facilitate the acceleration of this project as a key community safety requirement for the Saggart area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29439/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra420. Deputy Paul Nicholas Gogarty asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if he will conduct an immediate management audit following the latest reports of repeated breaches of house rules related to public intoxication and aggressive behaviour in Saggart village; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29440/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra421. Deputy Paul Nicholas Gogarty asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if he will establish a permanent community oversight committee for the Citywest site to ensure local residents have a formal and transparent role in monitoring centre safety and management performance until the promised Garda station is delivered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29441/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra439. Deputy Paul Nicholas Gogarty asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the communications that have issued between the community engagement team and local groups (details supplied) in relation to the most recent incidences of antisocial behaviour in Saggart; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29437/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra440. Deputy Paul Nicholas Gogarty asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if the community engagement team will facilitate a drop-in questions and answers/feedback day for residents of Citywest, Saggart and Rathcoole in relation to the operation of the IPAS centre; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29438/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 419, 420, 421, 439 and 440 together.
A community engagement process was initiated following the Government’s approval to purchase the former Citywest Hotel and Convention Centre for the provision of accommodation for people seeking international protection.
The engagement process ensures that the Department knows the issues that have been identified at local level, by community representatives, to best support planning for essential supports and services that will assist with the integration process.
A number of thematic issues and suggestions to strengthen public services and local infrastructure have been raised during these engagements, as have concerns about antisocial behaviour in the locality.
In all IPAS centres, security processes and procedures are subject to ongoing reviews to ensure that they are robust to ensure the safety of all the people involved with the centre. Officials in my Department and centre management continue to work very closely with An Garda Síochána in the area to keep all such arrangements under review.
As part of ongoing engagement in the locality, and in collaboration with the Local Authority and Local Development Company, the Community Engagement Team (CET) has invited over 60 NGOs and community groups involved in the Citywest area to meetings. These groups were nominated by local elected representatives and the Local Authority as well as groups who self-identified to the CET.
The CET engagement model is to meet with small groups of community representatives rather than hosting or attending public meetings. When organising a meeting, the team seeks the support of local services to bring together a small group of community representatives to listen to their concerns and provide responses to queries where appropriate. The meetings are invitation only to ensure that the CET can facilitate a meaningful dialogue.
On 21 April the CET issued an update to local elected representatives and community stakeholders with whom they have been engaging over the last year. The update provided factual information about security matters, and about an incident at Citywest Accommodation Centre on Friday 17 April. The update was issued to both the named organisations in the Deputy’s question.
This incident involved a disagreement between a number of people seeking international protection who are accommodated in the former Convention Centre. The incident was resolved by the centre staff who implemented the relevant security processes and procedures which included notifying An Garda Síochána.
Community members and elected representatives have raised suggestions about local services as part of engagements, as well as in other fora. These suggestions include the potential development of a new Garda Station in Saggart as part of the Citywest campus that is now in State ownership.
The Garda Commissioner is responsible for the allocation of resources available to him, including decisions relating to the Garda estate, and I cannot direct the Commissioner on matters reserved to him by law.
The Commissioner works in close cooperation with the Office of Public Works (OPW) to deliver projects on the Garda estate. The Garda Estate Management Unit, under the Garda Commissioner, is responsible for coordinating requirements and timelines. The OPW oversees planning, tendering, and executing the works.
This and other suggestions will be considered in the context of the Government's commitment to listening to local people and leaders and helping to support the delivery of services in the area.
