Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)

There are a total of 703 Garda stations throughout the country ranging from large 24-hour divisional and district HQ stations to smaller rural stations. This wide geographical spread of Garda stations is a valuable resource for local communities even in cases where small stations are open to the public for only a number of hours per week. They provide an important link between the gardaí and the public they serve. I know in this context that the question of opening hours is often and perfectly reasonably raised but a point to bear in mind is that an increase in the opening hours of any Garda station or the opening of additional stations necessitates the deployment of additional Garda personnel on indoor administrative duties who could be deployed, in many cases more effectively, on outdoor policing duties.

Rural policing and engagement with the rural community are key priorities of the Garda Síochána and this objective goes much wider than the physical presence of stations, important though that is. The current establishment of joint policing committees will provide a forum for discussion of local policing issues in each local authority area and will further enhance the relationship between the Garda Siochána, local communities and their public representatives.

Returning to the question of Garda stations, a total of €260 million is assigned for stations and other Garda accommodation under the current national development plan. In addition, a budget of €9.5 million is available this year alone for the maintenance of Garda premises. This has enabled a significant ongoing programme of replacement and refurbishment of Garda stations and other Garda accommodation around the country.

I should also say that a high-level strategic Garda accommodation board with members drawn from the Garda Síochána, the OPW and my Department has been established to carry out a review of Garda accommodation and, in particular, to prepare a short-term and longer-term strategy for all accommodation. The board is also considering how best to progress the rural Garda station replacement programme. The aim of this programme is to replace older and outdated stations that are expensive to maintain with smaller and more efficient stations to meet modern policing needs. Of course, ultimately the allocation of Garda resources, including accommodation, is a matter for the Garda Commissioner to decide in accordance with the operational requirements of the force and I look forward to the report from the Commissioner on the board's deliberations later this year.

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