Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 29 January 2019
251. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will consider the provision of a new Garda station for the Castletroy and Annacotty suburb of Limerick city (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3788/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe resources provided by Government to An Garda Síochána have reached unprecedented levels, with an allocation for 2019 of €1.76 billion. This represents an increase of over 6% over the initial allocation for 2018.
Very significant capital investment is also being made in An Garda Síochána, including investment of €342 million in Garda ICT infrastructure between 2016 and 2021 to enable; investment of €46 million in the Garda Fleet over the same period; as well as considerable capital investment in addressing the deficiencies in the Garda estate. This investment is in support of the Government’s commitment to ensuring a strong and visible police presence throughout the country in order to maintain and strengthen community engagement, provide reassurance to citizens and to deter crime.
The Deputy will appreciate that the Garda Commissioner is primarily responsible for the effective and efficient use of the resources available to An Garda Síochána, to ensure their best possible use. This includes responsibility for the formulation of proposals in relation to the opening and closing of Garda stations, taking into account crime trends and policing priorities.
In that regard, I would recall that the Programme for a Partnership Government included a commitment for a review of Garda districts and dispersement of resources. The resulting report of the Garda Síochána Inspectorate entitled, “Policing with Local Communities”, which was submitted to me as Minister by the Policing Authority and published in December 2018, also finds that the responsibility for decisions on boundaries and dispersement of Garda resources – including the number, type and location of Garda stations - should rest with the Garda Commissioner, as is currently the case.
I understand from the Garda authorities that Castletroy, the area referred to by the Deputy, is located on the N7 Limerick – Dublin road and that there are three existing Garda stations between five and ten kilometres away (Henry Street Garda station, Roxboro Road Garda station and Castleconnell Garda station). I understand that in addition, a weekly Garda Clinic is run on campus at the University of Limerick by Community Policing members based in the Henry Street District, to cater for student requirements (currently held on Wednesdays, from 13:00 -14.30).
I am informed by the Garda authorities of a range of other ongoing engagements, for instance the Community Policing Coordinator for Limerick and members of Community Policing sit on the Community Liaison Committee, which allows for representatives from the University, Student Services, local residents associations and the Local Authority to engage regularly in relation to campus and community related matters.
The Garda authorities further advise me that thefts from cars and burglaries in the area are specifically targeted by Operation Disruption. This operation also involves active patrolling of the area by plain clothes Gardaí in unmarked Garda vehicles. I understand that Gardaí allocated to Henry Street station are also tasked with performing Mandatory Intoxication checkpoints in Castletroy. Finally, the headquarters of the Divisional Specialised Units including Detective, Special Branch, Traffic Corps and Drug Unit are located only approximately five km from Castletroy.
In these circumstances, I am informed that the Garda do not propose a new station in Castletroy at the present time.
