Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 9 April 2019
285. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the hours Carrigaline Garda station is meant to be open; if the station has regularly opened for these hours; the number of gardaí attached to the station; the number of gardaí from the station on leave; the number of those who have been replaced; and the number of days the station opened in 2018 and to date in 2019. [16734/19]
View answerThere has been an unprecedented level of investment in Garda resources across the State in recent years. The allocation to An Garda Síochána for 2019 amounts to €1.76 billion and significant capital investment is also being made in An Garda Síochána including €342 million being invested in Garda ICT infrastructure between 2016 and 2021 and €46 million for investment in the Garda fleet.
As the Deputy will appreciate, the Garda Commissioner is primarily responsible for the effective and efficient use of resources available to An Garda Síochána. This includes responsibility for matters including the opening hours of Garda stations and the allocation of personnel. As Minister, I have no role in such matters. I am assured however that Garda management keeps the distribution of resources under continual review in the context of crime trends and policing priorities so as to ensure their optimum use.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that Carrigaline Garda station is open from 14:00 to 20:00 Monday to Thursday and, subject to the availability of personnel, from 17:00 to 20:00 Friday and Saturday. The station is closed on Sunday.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that the station was open for various hours on a total of 229 days in 2018. I am further informed that to date in 2019, the station has opened for various hours on 65 days.
As with all Garda stations which are not open to the public on a full time basis, during periods of closure, telephone calls to that station are automatically routed to the nearest 24 hour station in the District. In cases of emergency, any person can also call the 999 or 112 emergency service for an urgent Garda response.
I am informed by the Commissioner that with regard to the deployment of Garda personnel, a distribution model is used which takes into account all relevant factors including population, crime trends and the policing needs of each individual Garda Division. Where a deficiency in resources is identified, the matter is considered and addressed accordingly.
Finally, I am informed that Carrigaline Garda station is in the Togher Garda District which forms part of the Cork City Division. I am informed that the strength of the Cork City Division was 707 on 31 March 2019, with 20 gardaí attached to Carrigaline Garda Station. There are also 37 Garda Reserves attached to Cork City Division.
