Patrick O'Donovan
Question:335. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality when the final review of closed Garda stations will be completed; and the plans for Moyvane Garda station, County Kerry. [9822/18]
View answerTuesday, 27 February 2018
Questions (335)
Written answers
The Deputy will appreciate that the programme of replacement and refurbishment of Garda accommodation is progressed by the Garda authorities working in close cooperation with the Office of Public Works (OPW), which has responsibility for the provision and maintenance of Garda accommodation. This includes identifying and progressing any necessary remedial or refurbishment works required at individual stations. As Minister, I have no direct role in these matters.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that, under the Garda Station Rationalisation Programme of 2012 and 2013, one hundred and thirty-nine Garda Stations were closed, including Moyvane station. I am further informed that the closures have allowed front line Garda to be managed and deployed with greater mobility, greater flexibility and in a more focused fashion, particularly with regard to various targeted police operations.
As the Deputy will be aware, the Programme for a Partnership Government commits to 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.
The Garda Commissioner's final report, which was noted by Government on 19 December 2017, recommends that the following six stations be included in the pilot: Ballinspittle, Co. Cork, Bawnboy, Co.Cavan, Leighlinbridge, Co. Carlow, Donard, Co. Wicklow, and Rush and Stepaside, Co. Dublin.
The Deputy will appreciate that the question of the dispersal and use of resources available to An Garda Síochána in the delivery of policing services to local communities and the appropriate structures and management arrangements for delivery of these services is under consideration by the Garda Síochána Inspectorate and the Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland respectively. Both bodies are expected to report later this year.