James Leonard
Question:153 Mr. Leonard asked the Minister for Justice the plans, if any, she has to examine the possibility of re-opening rural Garda stations in view of the increase in attacks on the elderly in rural areas. [9874/96]
Written Answers. - Rural Garda Stations.
Contrary to public perception, no Garda stations have been closed as a result of the community policing scheme for rural areas. The main aim of the scheme is to forge closer links between the Garda and communities they serve. Prior to the introduction of rural community policing many Garda stations were open round the clock, a situation which was found to be unnecessary because of the low level of personal calls. Now stations are open at set times to transact such administrative business as is necessary, based on detailed assessments of the administrative workload. For the rest of the time the gardaí, who would otherwise be deskbound, are engaged in active and operational duties in the community, moving around in that community and getting to know all the people they serve. During the hours when stations are unmanned any caller to the station can make direct contact with a garda on duty at the district headquarters by using the direct communication link which is available at each Garda station involved in the rural community policing scheme. The gardaí at the district headquarters can then arrange for the nearest Garda or mobile patrol unit to come to the assistance of the member of the public. Under the scheme fixed opening hours of rural Garda stations are now guaranteed and this was not always the case in the past.
The rural community policing scheme has a number of very positive benefits for those living in the communities in which it operates, including vulnerable groups such as the elderly. It involves a more effective use of available resources. Community gardaí are now mobile and provide a more flexible service to the public by way of faster response to calls. They can maintain contact with elderly residents in remote areas in the course of normal patrols. The gardaí in these areas have been able to acquire broader local knowledge and a wider degree of contact with the public. The scheme has also facilitated greater involvement by the gardaí in community based crime prevention programmes.