Laois Gardaí To Work In Temporary Accommodation During New Headquarters Construction

Thursday, 6 April 2023 14:03

The new building project is expected to go to tender before the end of the Summer.

Laois Gardaí could be working in temporary accommodation, while their new building is under construction.

The Laois, Offaly, Kildare Garda divisions will be based in a new headquarters in Portlaoise, but a two and three storey extension, and a new building on the rear of the existing site are required before they can be moved in.

That project is expected to go to tender before the end of the Summer.

In the meantime, the Office of Public Works says temporary accommodation will need to be 'supplied and installed' in Portlaoise, so Gardaí can work while construction is underway.

In a statement to Midlands 103, the Office of Public Works says:

"Work is proceeding on the project to provide a refurbished and modernised Garda Station in Portlaoise that will meet all the operational, functional and accommodation requirements demanded by the new Garda operating model.

To accommodate all the brief of requirements the following developments are required; refurbishment of the existing building, a 2 & 3 storey extension and a new significant building on the rear site.

The construction of a building at the rear of Portlaoise Garda Station is integral to the effective redevelopment of Portlaoise Garda station to meet Garda requirements and has increased the total size of accommodation to be provided by 30%.

The site to the rear of the existing Garda station is currently occupied by the Defence Forces who are to be relocated from the rear site to the new identified site closer to the Midlands Prison.

Tenders were received and assessed and a contract was placed with the winning contractor Flynn Construction.

Works are expected to commence on site in May 2023.

The delivery of the new Defence Force building will not delay the placing of the main contract works for the redevelopment of the Portlaoise Garda Station.

The contract for Enabling Works to the existing Garda Station has been placed and work has commenced on site.

Enabling Works include conservation works to the historic wall and demolition works to modern structures attached to the historic wall.

These works will help de-risk the delivery of the redevelopment of Portlaoise Garda Station.

The tender documents for the redevelopment of Portlaoise Garda Station are being finalised and subject to Approving Authority approval, OPW expect to go to tender in Q2 2023.

An option appraisal has concluded for the decant phase for the existing station party and the business services functional area, within the new Garda Operating Model.

The state owned decentralised site has been identified as the preferred option."