Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 July 2018
671. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will ask the Garda management in the Sligo and Leitrim division whether the Enniscrone-Dromore west area could be moved from the Ballymote division to the Ballina division (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32684/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will appreciate, in accordance with the Garda Síochána Act 2005, as amended, it is the Garda Commissioner who is responsible for carrying on and managing and controlling generally the administration and business of An Garda Síochána. Further, the allocation and management of Garda resources, including distribution of personnel and arrangements for policing services, are a matter for the Commissioner, in light of the availability of resources and his identified operational demands.
As the Deputy will appreciate, as Minister I have no direct role in these matters. I understand that Garda management keeps these matters under review in the context of crime trends and policing priorities to ensure optimum use is made of the available resources.
The Garda authorities have supplied information in relation to the matter as follows. I understand that responsibility for Enniscrone Garda station was reassigned from the Ballina District to the Ballymote District, as part of the Boundary Reallignment Project.
I am further advised by the Garda authorities in accordance with the Act, the Commissioner each year prepares a policing plan setting out the proposed arrangements for policing services for the following year, including any proposal to -
- Establish or dissolve a national unit of the Garda Síochána,
- Alter the boundaries of a regional geographical area under the control of an Assistant Garda Commissioner or of a divisional geographical area under the control of a Chief Superintendent,
- Establish or relocate a divisional headquarters under the control of a Chief Superintendent or of a district headquarters under the control of a Superintendent, or
- Open a Garda Síochána station in a new location or cease stationing members in an existing station.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that there are no plans outlined in the Policing Plan 2018 to alter the boundaries of a divisional geographical area under the control of a Chief Superintendent.
Finally I would note that, as the Deputy may be aware, the Garda Síochána Inspectorate, at the request of the Policing Authority, is carrying out a review of the dispersal and use of resources available to An Garda Síochána in the delivery of policing services to local communities.
