Noel Rock
Question:136. Deputy Noel Rock asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality to include Whitehall Garda station in any review of station closures. [10430/16]
View answerTuesday, 17 May 2016
Questions (136)
Written answers
As the Deputy will be aware, during 2011 and 2012, An Garda Síochána completed a comprehensive review of its district and station network. The objective of this review was to identify opportunities to introduce strategic reforms to enhance service delivery, increase efficiency and streamline practices within the organisation. The review concluded that a revised district and station network commensurate with the organisation’s resource base would best meet public demand.
In reaching these conclusions, Garda management reviewed all aspects of the Garda Síochána policing model, including the deployment of personnel, the utilisation of modern technologies and the overall operation of Garda stations.
As a result, the Garda District and Station Rationalisation Programme was implemented and resulted in the closure of 139 Garda Stations throughout the State, including Whitehall Garda Station in 2012.
In accordance with the Rationalisation Programme, the former Garda Station at Whitehall was returned to the control of the Office of Public Works (OPW). The use of such returned properties is, accordingly, a matter for the OPW which, I am advised, has agreed to make the former station available for the relocation of the Office of the State Pathologist and the Dublin City Mortuary and to carry out the necessary refurbishment work.