Malcolm Noonan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

I reiterate that the reopening of Garda stations or the deployment of gardaí is an operational matter for the Garda Commissioner. I reiterate also that community safety is of the highest priority for the Minister. Recently, she was pleased to announce a €62 million investment in the Garda estate across the country as part of budget 2025.

Under the NDP the Government is committed to investing significant levels of capital funding into An Garda Síochána to deliver a Garda station modernisation and refurbishment programme involving strategic ICT and digitisation projects and to provide a modern, fit-for-purpose Garda fleet.

No Garda station closures took place in recent years. The Commissioner has repeatedly said there is no intention to close any stations. Currently, An Garda Síochána has more than 560 Garda stations throughout the country, which is high by international standards. The Government remains committed to giving the Commissioner the resources he needs. I will take back the issues Senator Murphy raises, specifically concerning crime in rural County Roscommon. The Minister and the Government are committed to addressing rural crime.