Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 20 October 2015
378. Deputy John Perry asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if she will consider increasing resources with a view to opening Tubbercurry Garda Síochána station in County Sligo on a 24 hour-seven day basis, and not on part-time basis, as it currently is; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36446/15]
View answerAs the Deputy will appreciate, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the distribution of personnel among the Garda Regions, Divisions, and Districts. Garda management keep this distribution under continual review in the context of crime trends and policing priorities so as to ensure that the best possible use is made of resources.
I have been informed by the Garda Commissioner that, as of the 31 August 2015 the latest date for which figures are readily available, 294 members of An Garda Síochána are assigned to the Sligo/Leitrim Garda Division, of which 47 are assigned to Ballymote Garda District and 7 of these are assigned to Tubbercurry Garda station. The work of these Gardaí is supported by 23 Garda Reserve members and 21 civilian staff. The work of local Gardaí in the Sligo/Leitrim Division is augmented when necessary by a number of Garda national units such as the National Bureau of Criminal Investigation (NBCI), the Criminal Assets Bureau (CAB) and the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB). Organised criminal activity is currently being targeted by An Garda Síochána across a number of fronts, including the use of focused intelligence-led operations by specialist units such as the Drugs and Organised Crime Unit and CAB.
Tubbercurry Garda station is opened to the public from 9:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Monday to Thursday, and from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Friday and Sunday, subject to available manpower. The station also has a Public Access Call Box which will connect to Ballymote District station which is open on a 24 hours basis. I am advised by the Garda Authorities that an increase in the opening hours of any Garda Station would necessitate the deployment of additional Garda personnel on indoor administrative duties who may be more effectively employed on outdoor policing duties. I am also advised that the matter of opening hours of sub-district stations is subject to continual review and alteration by Garda management in the context of policing priorities and resources available.
