David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I again thank the Deputy for bringing this matter to the floor of the House. As I said in my initial response, the Garda district and station rationalisation programme took place. That followed the completion by the Garda of a comprehensive review of its district and station network. That gave rise to the amalgamation of 32 districts into 16 larger districts, as I said. That was done to ensure that the organisation’s resource base would best meet public demand. The Tánaiste has been advised that the revised structures have allowed front-line gardaí to be managed and deployed with greater mobility and flexibility and in a more focused fashion, particularly with regard to various targeted operations. However, as I also said, the Policing Authority has been asked to oversee a review of, among other things, the dispersal of Garda stations in rural areas and in developing urban and suburban areas, as the Deputy has described. I certainly will bring this matter to the attention of the Tánaiste as the Deputy has requested.

The creation of an enlarged Enniscorthy district in November 2013 did not give rise to the closure of any station in the former Gorey district. The Tánaiste has been assured that there is diminution in the policing service provided within the context of its existing available resources in the area. In addition, local Garda management keeps under review the allocation of resources in the area as well. As I informed the Deputy, the Government is fully committed, in line with the programme for Government, to ensuring visible, effective and responsive policing in every community, including the most minimum response times possible. This commitment is underscored by the Government's accelerated recruitment programme and the ongoing major investment in the Garda fleet and the ICT infrastructure of An Garda Síochána, which will facilitate a provision of high visibility and mobile policing services to communities. Taken together with the ongoing Garda modernisation renewal programme, these measures will better equip An Garda Síochána and facilitate the provision of a 21st century policing service that fully meets the expectation of our communities. I will bring the matter to the attention of the Tánaiste. I am sure that the Policing Authority and the Garda Commissioner will also be taking note of what the Deputy has raised today.

With the indulgence of the Chairman, I welcome to the Visitors Gallery, from the area in which I live, a school group from St. Colman's community college, Midleton.

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