Robert Troy
Question:57. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality her plans to review the existing boundaries of Garda divisions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27385/16]
View answerWednesday, 28 September 2016
Questions (57)
Written answers
As the Deputy will be aware, the Programme for a Partnership Government recognises that community policing is the embodiment of An Garda Síochána, providing a means of recognising that every community, both urban and rural, has its own concerns and expectations. It commits the Government to ensuring visible, effective and responsive policing in every community.
Under the Programme, the Government is committed to asking the Policing Authority to oversee a review of, amongst other things, both the boundaries of Garda districts and the dispersement of Garda stations in rural, developing urban and suburban areas. In support of this objective, I have requested the Policing Authority to oversee this review for the purpose of ensuring both an efficient and optimum geographical distribution of stations and minimal response times. Once this review is completed, I will ensure that the outcome is put before the House.
In addition, the Government is committed to launching a pilot scheme to reopen 6 Garda stations, both urban and rural, to determine possible positive impacts that such openings will have on criminal activity, with special emphasis on burglaries, theft and public order. In accordance with this commitment, I have requested the Garda Commissioner, while fully cognisant of her statutory functions in relation to the distribution of Garda resources in the State, to identify for reopening 6 stations that were closed under the Garda Síochána District and Station Rationalisation Programme 2012 - 2013.