Jim O'Callaghan
Question:105. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality when the pilot scheme to reopen six Garda stations will commence. [39760/16]
View answerTuesday, 13 December 2016
Questions (105)
Written answers
The Deputy will be aware that the Government has, in the Programme for a Partnership Government, recognised community policing as 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, including the most minimal response times possible.
Under the Programme, the Government is committed to asking the Policing Authority to oversee a review of, among other things, the dispersal of Garda stations in rural areas. 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 relation to the proposed pilot scheme, 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. I have also asked the Authority to initiate the proposed review.