Gardai look set to move out of Portlaoise Garda Station ahead of €25 million overhaul

The Office of Public Works is seeking a supplier for 55 temporary accommodation units to house garda members in Portlaoise.

The accommodation will be required while the new Laois Offaly Kildare Garda Divisional Headquarters is being built on the site of the existing garda station in Portlaoise. 

Although the units are being sought to house gardai temporarily, the OPW is seeking A-rated units with a potential lifespan of 60 years.  

The accommodation will be used by Gardai who will be moved to a State owned site in Portlaoise while the new €25 million Laois Offaly Kildare Garda Headquarters is being completed. 

The new development will also see the Defence Forces moving out of their base at the Garda Station to a new site closer to Portlaoise Prison where they continue to provide security.

“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 OPW spokesperson said. 

In order to build the new station, existing staff are going to have to be temporarily relocated in what Gardai call the decant phase of the project. 

“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. Test fit studies have been undertaken in preparation for the decant of the current station,” the spokesperson stated.  

“A Prior Information Notice (PIN) has been published to inform the market, ahead of any potential procurement competition, of the expected requirement for temporary accommodation to be supplied and installed in Portlaoise in the coming months,” they added. 

The new Garda Headquarters in Portlaoise will result in the existing facility being enlarged and improved on the existing Abbeyleix Road site. 

“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,” the OPW spokesperson explained. 

The existing building is to be refurbished and a two and three storey extension will be built.  A new significant building will also be constructed at the rear of the 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 percent,” the OPW spokesperson said. 

“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,” they stated.  

A contract has already been awarded for the new Defence Forces building. 

“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,” according to the OPW. 

Builders not signed up but intention declared start multimillion euro overhaul of Portlaoise Garda Station

The OPW said the public information notice was issued for the temporary accommodation ahead of procurement. They also anticipate the need to hire contractors for electrical and mechanical connection and fit out of the temporary units. 

Construction of the new Divisional Headquarters in Portlaoise is expected to take 144 weeks.