asked the Minister for Justice if there is a policy decision to scale down or phase out small Garda stations in rural areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Rural Garda Stations.
369.
Limerick East): There is no intention of closing any Garda station; on the contrary the proposals now being put forward are designed to provide for more regular opening of stations and at times that are best suited to local requirements.
These proposals arise from an examination that has been carried out of ways and means by which the Garda service to rural areas can be improved. They involve the introduction of a new system of policing which has been tried out as a pilot scheme in two Garda districts — Claremorris, County Mayo and Thomastown, County Kilkenny.
The main feature of the new system is that the Garda personnel allocated to a group of small rural stations combine as a team to provide patrolling and other services for the whole area covered by these stations. It is intended that each such area will be provided with a Garda car. Each small station in an area will have a garda permanently assigned to it and it will be served as well by other gardaí assigned to the area who will attend as required — for example, to open the station on days when the local garda has time off, etc.
The service to the public is being further improved by the provision of new communications facilities. A radiophone at every small station will enable the public to contact the gardaí at times when the station is closed and as all gardaí on patrol will be in radio contact there should be a much more effective response to calls requesting Garda attention or assistance.
The Garda authorities are satisfied that the scheme represents a real improvement over the present system of rural policing and it is intended to extend the new scheme into further pilot areas in the near future.