Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 28 February 2017
125. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if she will request from the Garda authorities the estimated cost of reopening the Garda stations, which remain available, that were closed following the Garda district and station rationalisation programme 2012 and 2013. [9899/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will appreciate, it is the Garda Commissioner who is responsible for the management and distribution of Garda resources, including the development of proposals in relation to the opening and closing of Garda stations, and I, as Minister, have no direct role in the matter.
During 2011 and 2012, as the Deputy will be aware, An Garda Síochána completed a comprehensive review of its district and station network. The objective of this review was to identify opportunities to introduce strategic reforms to enhance service delivery, increase efficiency and streamline practices within the organisation. The review concluded that a revised district and station network commensurate with the organisation’s resource base would best meet public demand.
As a result, the Garda District and Station Rationalisation Programme was implemented in 2012 and 2013. This was reflected in An Garda Síochána’s Policing Plans for 2012 and 2013 which set out the details of the closure of 39 Garda stations in 2012 and 100 Garda stations in 2013 and the amalgamation of 28 Garda districts to fourteen 14 enlarged Garda districts.
I am advised by the Garda Authorities that Garda Stations which were closed under the Programme were returned to the control of the Office of Public Works and that the future use of those properties is now a matter for that Office.
The Deputy will appreciate that any costs associated with re-opening the properties as functioning Garda Stations would have to be determined by the Office of Public Works following a full technical examination of each property to assess the works required to render the property fully compliant with building regulations and fit for purpose to operate as a Garda Station. In addition, the Garda Authorities would, of course, need to examine the staffing and operational implications of deploying Gardaí to the stations during public office hours, thus diverting Gardaí from front-line duties in the community.
