Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 8 November 2011
361 Deputy Jim Daly asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the average cost of running a rural Garda station (details supplied) in County Cork, excluding the Garda salaries; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33330/11]
View answerI have requested the information sought by the Deputy from the Garda authorities. I will be in contact with the Deputy when this information is to hand.
362 Deputy Jim Daly asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the criteria assessed for determining the effectiveness of a particular Garda station over another; the person that makes the assessment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33332/11]
View answer363 Deputy Jim Daly asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will clarify who will have the final say in relation to any proposed Garda station closures; if he will have the final say in relation to any such closures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33333/11]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 362 and 363 together.
Under the Garda Síochána Act 2005 the Garda Commissioner must each year prepare a policing plan setting out the proposed arrangements for the policing of the State, including any proposal to cease stationing members in a Garda station. The policing plan, once it has been approved by the Minister, is laid before each House.
The Garda Commissioner has been reviewing the Garda station network with the aim of identifying the scope for greater efficiencies in the delivery of a policing service. This review has included an examination of the case for the closure of some stations and for a reduction in opening hours of other stations. All relevant factors will have been taken into account in this examination, including the current status of stations, an activity analysis of stations, an impact assessment in each case of either closure or a reduction in opening hours, and the identification of an alternative model for delivering policing services.
I will consult with the Garda Commissioner as part of the statutory process of finalising the policing plan for 2012, which will be laid before each House upon approval.
364 Deputy Jim Daly asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the options available to concerned local community groups who wish to make a submission to the deciding officer in relation to any potential Garda station closures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33335/11]
View answerUnder the Garda Síochána Act 2005 the Garda Commissioner must each year prepare a policing plan setting out the proposed arrangements for the policing of the State, including any proposal to cease stationing members in a Garda station. The policing plan, once it has been approved by the Minister, is laid before each House.
The Garda Commissioner has been reviewing the Garda station network with the aim of identifying the scope for greater efficiencies in the delivery of a policing service. This review has included an examination of the case for the closure of some stations and for a reduction in opening hours of other stations. All relevant factors will have been taken into account in this examination, including the current status of stations, an activity analysis of stations, an impact assessment in each case of either closure or a reduction in opening hours, and the identification of an alternative model for delivering policing services.
I will consult with the Garda Commissioner as part of the statutory process of finalising the policing plan for 2012, which will be laid before each House upon approval.
It is of course always open to local community groups to make submissions to local Garda management in relation to any aspect of the local policing service, and of course the Garda Síochána Act 2005 has also put in place joint policing committees in each local authority area which act as a forum for consultations and discussions on matters affecting local policing. In addition to this, I am advised that there will be consultation by the Garda Síochána within a local community in relation to any revised model for delivering a local policing service following the closure of a Garda station.
