Vol. 488 No. 2
176 Mr. Finucane asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his views on whether the situation where the number of opening hours in each of the Garda stations are being reduced is part of a policy of closure of rural stations by stealth; and if he is proceeding with the policy of reducing the number of opening hours of each of the stations in Kilmeroy, Castletown, Ballingarry, Athea, Dromcollogher, Tournafulla and Abbeyfeale. [6004/98]
The Garda Commissioner is conducting a review of the rural community policing scheme. As part of his evaluation he has recently introduced trial modifications to the scheme, under a pilot test arrangement, in two of the 14 Garda districts in which the scheme is currently in operation. The Garda districts selected by the Commissioner for this purpose are Nenagh and Newcastlewest. The trial changes relate to the creation of policing teams to provide for improvements in continuity of service to the community and more flexibility in relation to opening hours of stations involving consultation with local communities and an evaluation of local policing needs.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that, for the period of these pilot arrangements, which commenced on 23 February, the duration of predetermined opening hours in Athea, Ballingarry, Castletown, Drumcollogher, Kilmeedy and Tournafulla Garda stations will be one hour. The duration of opening hours, again predetermined, for Abbeyfeale station will be two hours. The district headquarters station in Newcastlewest will continue to open for 24 hours. The Garda authorities also inform me that these opening hours have been agreed between Garda management and local people. As a result of the changes the same Garda teams will perform more foot and mobile patrols in the areas concerned. Because the same members will be patrolling the Garda teams will become well known and develop a closer relationship with local people.
I deny in the strongest possible terms any suggestion that these arrangements represent an attempt to close rural Garda stations by stealth. The rural community policing scheme is not, and never has been, about the closure of Garda stations. It is aimed at providing a better service to the community by allowing 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 suit local community needs. Furthermore, I am on record as stating that no Garda station will close during my tenure as Minister and that this Government has not been associated with and has no agenda in relation to the closure of Garda stations or reduction of policing services to the public. The position is quite the contrary as the Government's commitment to increasing the strength of the force to 12,000 demonstrates.
