Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 6 March 2012
383 Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the date on which he will close a Garda station (details supplied) in Dublin 2; the station to which gardaí currently rostered there will be reallocated; if the same Garda resources will be dedicated to community policing of the catchment area affected as currently operate from that station; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12281/12]
View answerI have been informed by the Garda Commissioner that there is no date set yet on when Harcourt Terrace Station will close in 2012 and therefore, no final decision has been taken on where personnel will be redeployed.
Harcourt Terrace is in the Pearse Street District and the Garda strength of that District, as of the 31 January 2012, the latest date for which figures are readily available, was 332 with an additional 28 Garda Reserves assigned to the Station. These resources are augmented by 16 civilian staff who provide vital technical and administrative support in the Pearse Street District and free up sworn officers for operational duty. While all Gardaí have responsibility to deal with Community Policing issues as and when they arise, the number of dedicated Community Gardaí in Harcourt Terrace station is 8, with a further 18 attached to Pearse Street. The Commissioner is committed to providing a professional and effective service to the community, both urban and rural.
The importance of the partnership between An Garda Síochána and the community in preventing and detecting crime and maintaining a safe environment for everyone can never be over-emphasised and the pledge of An Garda Síochána is to continue to invest time and energy in those partnerships and relationships to the benefit of all. It is intended where possible that the resources presently assigned to Harcourt Terrace Garda station will remain in the Pearse Street District, subject at all times to operational requirements as determined by the Commissioner.
