Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)

I am responding to this matter on behalf of the Minister for Justice and Equality, who sends his apologies. Unfortunately, as the Senator probably knows, he could not be here this evening, as he has not yet mastered the ability to bilocate. The Minister has asked me to thank the Senator for raising this matter, which provides him with an opportunity to address the position of the district headquarters status of Glenties Garda station. Glenties is a district headquarters in the Donegal division. The Garda strength, as of 31 May 2012 - the latest date for which figures are available - was 52 in the Glenties district, out of a total of 433 in the Donegal division. The division is supported by 24 Garda reserves and 29 civilians who provide administrative and technical support to members of the Garda Síochána. The House will be aware that towards the end of each year, the Commissioner prepares a policing plan for the following year. In the process, he reviews all aspects of the Garda Síochána's policing model, including the deployment of personnel, the utilisation of modern technologies and the operation of Garda stations in terms of opening hours and possible closures. In addition, all divisional officers are asked to assess the level of activity in each Garda station in their areas. It must be stressed that the key objective of this ongoing review is to promote the more efficient and effective deployment of resources rather than to secure specific cash savings. The policing plan for 2013 has not yet been prepared, and therefore it is not possible for the Minister to say at this stage what it may contain, although it is expected that it will contain measures to address the ongoing issue of rationalisation of the Garda station network.

Any such proposals must be seen in a particular context. The Garda Síochána, like every other public sector body, will have to manage with reduced resources. The House will be aware that under plans agreed by the previous Government as part of its compliance with the terms of the EU-IMF agreement, Garda numbers are to be reduced. However, that reduction is being accompanied by real reform being introduced under the Croke Park agreement, which was established as part of a strategic response to the economic crisis. The Croke Park agreement is playing a key role in reform across the public service. This programme includes the reform of structures, operations and processes in order to maintain services at the highest level possible while coping with reductions in numbers. New efficiencies must be introduced so that, even with reduced staffing levels, the best possible service continues to be provided to the public. This need for efficiency is what underlies the Commissioner's proposals to close some Garda stations in 2012. It was also a key driver in the development and introduction of new Garda rosters, new processes for making payments in the Garda Síochána and a new performance and accountability framework for members of the Garda.

The Garda Commissioner is responsible for the detailed allocation of resources. The resources available in the Donegal division, which I have already outlined, are further augmented by Garda national units such as the Garda National Drugs Unit, the Criminal Assets Bureau and other specialised units. Garda management will continue to closely monitor the allocation of resources, taking account of transfers and retirements, crime trends, policing needs and operational strategies on a district, divisional and regional level. The Donegal Garda division and the Glenties Garda district will be subject to the same level of monitoring and decision making to ensure that optimum use is made of Garda resources and the best possible Garda service is provided to the public. The Garda Commissioner has reiterated the commitment of the Garda Síochána to providing a professional and effective service to the community, and he has the full support of the Minister in this regard. Before I conclude I pay tribute, on behalf of the Minister, to the Garda Síochána for the commitment and the professionalism its members display in carrying out their duties.