John O'Donoghue
Question:24 Mr. O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Justice her views on recent reports regarding the possible closure of rural Garda stations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2392/97]
Other Questions. - Rural Policing Scheme.
The issue here is the possible variation of opening hours of stations in the context of extending the rural community policing scheme to provide a better service to the community.
The rural community policing scheme has been operating in 14 Garda districts throughout the State since 1991. It was intended that the schemes, once operational for a reasonable period, would be extended to other districts. The Garda authorities are currently evaluating experience of the existing rural community policing scheme and reviewing their 1994 proposals for its extension. This involves a consultative process taking in consultations with local Garda management, the Garda Representative Associations and, most important, local community interests.
This process, by its nature, will take some time to complete. However, the Minister is particularly anxious to ensure there will be sufficient consultations with local interest groups before any decision is made to extend the scheme. It is only after the detailed consultative process has been completed that the Garda Commissioner will be in a position to submit proposals to the Minister as to whether rural policing should be extended, or modified as the case may be.
There has been some misunderstanding over the years in the media and by the public about this scheme. It was never designed to close rural Garda stations. It is actually aimed at allowing the gardaí spend more time on active operational duties in their districts including in particular, visits to the elderly, while at the same time providing for station opening hours which actually suit local community needs. It is precisely these objectives which are being examined to see how well they have been met in the existing rural policing areas.
On 21 November 1996 the Minister for Justice, as reported in column 1635 of the Official Report, stated that the Garda Commissioner, following a further review in June 1994, submitted a report to her Department outlining proposals for a further extension of the rural policing scheme. She indicated to the House that discussions were ongoing between her Department and the Garda authorities. At no stage in the course of her reply did the Minister advert to the possibility that some rural Garda stations might be closed.
Subsequently reports appeared in newspapers to the effect that this matter was also under consideration. The Minister of State has enlightened the House in relation to what is being considered. I put it to him that the closure of rural Garda stations should not be a consequence of the extension of the rural policing scheme. There is a feeling in the rural community, rightly or wrongly, that it is the intention of the Government to close rural Garda stations by stealth.
I am not surprised the previous reply from the Minister for Justice, to which the Deputy referred, did not mention the closing of rural Garda stations. Neither is there a mention in this reply of the closing of rural Garda stations. What is stated in the reply is that the Garda authorities are currently evaluating experience of the existing rural community policing scheme and reviewing their 1994 proposals for its extension. This involves a consultative process taking in consultations with local Garda management, the Garda representative associations and, most important, local community interests. This process of consultation, by its nature, will take some time. The Deputy will agree the process of consultation is an extremely important one, that the views of the groups to which I have referred, including those of local people and of Members, should be taken into consideration. It is only when that consultative process has reached a conclusion that the Minister will take decisions on this matter. That consultative process is ongoing and, therefore, no decisions have been taken.
The Garda strength on 31 October 1996 was 10,784. There is a general feeling that the numbers in the Force are too low and that a recruitment campaign is necessary to ensure natural wastage will not continue to outstrip recruitment. In this context I ask the Minister of State for a categoric assurance that no rural Garda stations will be closed and that there will be a sufficiency of gardaí to deal with problems in rural areas, as a result of an adequate recruitment drive. My colleague, Deputy Joe Walsh, our spokesperson on social welfare, has tabled a question today regarding the safety of older people from assault and robbery. In the event of a closure or the prospect of a closure of rural Garda stations or an insufficient number of gardaí in the force for rural Garda stations and to police rural areas vulnerable people will be extremely frightened. The reason I am seeking assurances from the Minister of State is because of reports which appeared in the print media.
The Deputy will be as aware as I am that one cannot always rely on reports in the print media or elsewhere. In some cases I do not pay much attention to such reports. As I said, when the ongoing consultation process has been finalised the Minister will, of course, take the necessary decisions.
The Deputy referred to a later question tabled by Deputy Walsh. I give him the same assurance as I will give Deputy Walsh, that the Minister for Justice is very aware of the problems in rural areas and of the fears of older people in particular and will continue to do everything possible to allay these fears.
I regret that the Minister of State has failed to satisfy me and others who were seeking reassurances on this matter. Does he not realise there is little need for consultation on the question of whether rural Garda stations should be closed? Farming organisations, voluntary community groups and public representatives have made it abundantly clear over a period of time that the closure of rural Garda stations would be a retrograde step and only give solace to criminals. I again ask the Minister of State to give an assurance to people living in rural areas that a decision will not be taken in the discussions taking place to close rural Garda stations.
I referred earlier to a misunderstanding of the objectives of the rural community policing scheme. These misunderstandings appear to be shared by the Deputy. The rural community policing scheme is not designed to close rural Garda stations, rather it is intended to increase and facilitate greater Garda contact with the community, including the elderly. That is the purpose of the scheme, and not to close rural Garda stations.