Vol. 348 No. 5
asked the Minister for Justice in relation to the reorganisation of Garda stations in County Galway, the stations to be upgraded as major centres; the stations that will be opened for fewer hours; and the number of gardaí to be assigned permanently to each station.
528.
asked the Minister for Justice if he will retain full Garda strength in Garda stations in Ballinlough, Williamstown, Loughglynn, Frenchpark, Glenamaddy, Ballintubber, Creggs, Ballymoe, Athleague and Knockcroghery; and if he will guarantee that these stations will not be downgraded when the proposed radio links are completed between stations.
Limerick East): I propose to take Questions Nos. 527 and 528 together.
I would refer the Deputies to the reply which I gave on 16 February 1984 to Deputy Fahey in response to a question on somewhat similar lines about a number of Garda stations in County Galway. In that reply I referred to the discussion that is going on within the Garda Síochána about the feasibility of further extending the system of rural policing which has been tried out successfully for some time in two rural Garda districts. This has apparently given rise to a great deal of rumour and speculation about the closure or what is being referred to as the "downgrading" of a number of stations.
I want to make it clear that no Garda station anywhere is being closed down and no decision has as yet been taken in regard to changes in the Garda strength or station opening times at any of the stations mentioned in these questions or indeed at any other station in either County Galway or County Roscommon. The feasibility of extending the new system of rural policing is being discussed in general terms — the counties of Galway and Roscommon are not being singled out for special attention.
I think that it is regrettable that the new system of rural policing is being depicted by some people in a very negative way. The fact is that the scheme is designed to improve the level of Garda service to the community and the Garda authorities, on the basis of the experience gained in the areas where it has been tried out, are satisfied that it achieves this. The main feature of the new system, as I have explained before, 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. This in fact is designed to provide for more regular opening of stations than is provided by the present system.
The service to the public will be further improved by the provision of new communications facilities. A radio-phone at every small station will enable the public to contact the Garda 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.
