asked the Minister for Justice if he will seriously consider reopening small Garda stations in view of the high rate of crime and the crippling fear of people, particularly the aged living alone.
Written Answers. - Reopening of Garda Stations.
23.
A number of small rural Garda stations were closed as a matter of policy in the decade from 1960 to 1970 but no station closure has taken place since 1971. There are no proposals at present to reopen any of the stations which closed at that time. Apart from the high capital cost involved in providing stations the manning of additional stations tends to absorb Garda manpower which, according to the Garda authorities, can be used more effectively on outdoor operational duties.
I might add, however, that there is no intention of closing any further stations in the foreseeable future.
As recently as 13 May 1986 in the course of the debate during Private Members' time on the provision of resources for the Garda Síochána, I outlined a number of measures taken to deal with the crime situation in general and I referred specifically to action taken in relation to the spate of attacks on elderly people.