Pa Daly
Question:432. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Justice when a number of Garda stations (details supplied) in County Kerry which the OPW propose to dispose of were decommissioned as active stations. [34958/21]
View answerTuesday, 29 June 2021
Questions (432)
Written answers
I have requested the information sought by the Deputy from An Garda Síochána. I will write to the Deputy as soon as the information is to hand.
The following deferred reply was received under Standing Order 51
I refer to Parliamentary Question Number 432 which was for answer on 29 June 2021, where you asked when a number of Garda stations in County Kerry which the OPW propose to dispose of were decommissioned as active stations.
(Details supplied: Kerry, Brosna, Former Garda Station, being prepared for disposal - 2022. 2. Kerry, Kilgarvan, former Garda station, under consideration for community use. 3. Kerry, Moyvane, former Garda Station, under consideration for community use).
You will recall that the information could not be obtained in the time available and I undertook to consult with An Garda Síochána and contact you again when the information was available.
The Garda Commissioner has primary responsibility under the law for the effective and efficient use of the resources available to An Garda Síochána, including responsibility for the formulation of proposals in relation to the opening and closing of Garda stations, taking into account crime trends and policing priorities. Further, 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, which has responsibility for the provision and maintenance of Garda accommodation. As Minister, I have no direct role in these matters.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that the Garda estate currently includes 569 Garda Stations. I am further informed that there are no plans to close any of these stations at present.
The Garda District and Station Rationalisation Programme, implemented by An Garda Síochána during 2012 and 2013 resulted in the closure of 139 Garda stations. The Programme was based on a review of the Garda Station Network by Garda management which concluded that resources could be more effectively deployed on the front line if certain stations, many of which were only open part-time and manned by a single Garda, no longer had to be staffed and maintained.
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.
The three Garda stations located in Moyvane, Brosba and Kilgarvan, Co. Kerry were closed under this Programme. I am informed that Moyvane Garda station closed on 30 March 2012, Brosna Garda station closed on 31 January 2013, and Kilgarvan Garda station closed on 31 January 2013.
The Garda Stations were returned to, and are now under the control of, the Office of Public Works (OPW). The future use of such properties is a matter for the OPW as the owner of the properties.
In relation to Garda resources in the area you may wish to be aware that Moyvane Garda Station is now covered by Listowel Garda Station. Brosna Garda Station is now covered by Knocknagoshel Garda Station. When that station is closed, Listowel Garda Station provides coverage, to ensure a 24hr policing response. The primary policing response in relation to Kilgarvan is provided by personnel attached to Kenmare Garda Station.
In addition, Divisional resources such as the Kerry Roads Policing Unit, Divisional Drugs Unit and Divisional Protective Services Units provide services to these areas.
Separately, you may wish to note that detailed information in relation to Garda numbers in Co. Kerry is available on my Department’s website. This information is updated every month with the latest data provided by An Garda Síochána, at the following link:
http://www.justice.ie/en/JELR/Pages/An_Garda_Siochana_facts_and_figures