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

The Minister sends his apologies. Unfortunately, he cannot attend because he is taking business in the Dáil. On his behalf, I thank the Senator for raising this important matter.

The Senator will appreciate that the Garda Commissioner is primarily responsible for the effective and efficient use of the resources available to him, including in respect of the opening and closing of Garda stations. The programme for Government commits the Government to ensuring a strong and visible police presence throughout the country in order to maintain and strengthen community engagement, provide reassurance to citizens and deter crime. A cornerstone of this commitment is the Government's plan to achieve an overall Garda workforce of 21,000 personnel by 2021, comprising 15,000 Garda members, 2,000 Reserve members and 4,000 civilians.

Revisiting the decision that was taken to close Garda stations at the depths of the recession is also a part of that commitment. In this context, the former Tánaiste, following the approval of the Government in June 2016, requested the then Garda Commissioner, while fully cognisant of the Commissioner's statutory functions, to identify six stations for reopening on a pilot basis to determine the possible positive impacts that such openings would have on criminal activity, with special emphasis on burglaries, theft and public order.

The current Garda Commissioner recently submitted his final report on the pilot.The report contains a recommendation that Rush Garda station be one of the six Garda stations to be included in the pilot scheme, along with the Garda stations at Ballinspittle, County Cork, Bawnboy, County Cavan, Leighlinbridge, County Wicklow, and Stepaside, County Dublin. The Minister intends to bring the final report to Government shortly. In the meantime, the Commissioner has written to the Office of Public Works and instructed it to progress the matter.

The Minister understands that a timetable for the re-opening of the stations concerned is dependent on a number of factors, including the brief of requirements from An Garda Síochána, the extent of the required refurbishment based on current building regulations, the need to comply with fire regulations and to provide disability access. There are also agreed standards and specifications for Garda cell areas and custody suites which would have to be incorporated into the refurbishment. Once the specifications have been agreed, the works will go to tender and will commence when the contract has been placed.