Martin Conway (Fine Gael)
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I welcome the Minister to the House. I have tabled this Adjournment matter on foot of speculation in the community of Miltown Malbay that a change will be made to the rostering of gardaí in the area. The Minister is familiar with the area because he visited it in the past. Miltown Malbay has a population of between 2,500 and 3,000 people and services a significant hinterland. The population increases significantly during the summer months because, as it is in a coastal area, tourism is a significant industry in the town. The Garda district headquarters is based in Ennistymon, which is approximately ten miles from Miltown Malbay and has a population of approximately 1,000. Lahinch, which is between the two towns, can have a population of up to 10,000 during the summer months.

The biggest fear for the people of Miltown Malbay is that the new rostering system will mean that the two or three gardaí who are currently based at the Garda station in the town will be based at the station in Ennistymon. There is a concern that if the station remains open on a rota basis only, the valuable knowledge of the gardaí who are based in Miltown Malbay will be lost. I refer to their relationships with the community and their intelligence on the ground, for example. In such circumstances, Miltown Malbay would become a remote outpost of Ennistymon, with the squad car being sent down when there is an emergency. The people in the area are worried that there will be a reduction in the quality of the community policing service provided by the local gardaí and that the relationship between the local community and the gardaí who are based at Miltown Malbay garda station will diminish. There is a fear that this development will lead to the eventual closure of the station. I accept that is speculation at this stage. I hope the Minister can reassure us in his reply.

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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The Minister for Justice and Equality has asked me to thank the Senator for raising the matter. As the House is aware he is away and unable to speak on the matter. However, it provides me with an opportunity to set out, on his behalf, the precise position on the subject.

The development of a new roster for members of the Garda Síochána is one of the targets set by the Garda Síochána under the Croke Park agreement. Before getting into any detail on the Garda roster it is important to set out the context. The Croke Park agreement was put in place as part of a strategic response to an economic crisis. The agreement plays a key role in reform across the public service. The programme includes the reform of structures, operations and processes. Another key part of the Government's plan for reform is the reduction in numbers across the public service. This means that the Garda Síochána, like every other public sector body, will have to manage with reduced resources. The Garda Commissioner has reviewed, and will continue to review, all aspects of policing, including the deployment of personnel, the utilisation of modern technologies and the operation of Garda stations.

One of the actions listed by the Garda Síochána was the development of a new roster. The Garda Commissioner has committed to roll out nationwide, on a pilot basis, the new roster at the end of April 2012. The aim of the new roster will be to match the varying policing demands across the country with the availability of resources. It will also improve the work life balance for members who have to work irregular hours on a 24/7, 365 days a year basis. The new roster will be more flexible and is aimed at having more gardaí on duty when the demand is greater. The new roster will enable Garda management to make more efficient use of available resources.

With the implementation of the pilot roster, Garda management will continue to closely monitor the allocation of resources, taking account of transfers and retirements, crime trends, policing needs and other operational strategies in place on a district, divisional and regional level. The Clare Garda division will be subject to this same level of monitoring. The principal purpose of such monitoring is to ensure that optimum use is made of Garda resources and the best possible Garda service is provided to the public. The Minister has asked me to assure the Senator that It will remain a priority for this Government to maintain front line services at the highest level possible.

It is important for the House to realise that the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the detailed allocation of resources, including personnel and that the Minister has no direct role in that matter. In this regard, the Commissioner has informed us that on 29 February 2012, the latest date for which figures are readily available, the personnel strength of Clare Garda division was 296, with 33 assigned to the Ennistymon district. Three of these members are assigned to Miltown Malbay Garda station.

Reductions in numbers, whether in the Garda Síochána or elsewhere in the public sector, must be accompanied by reform and the new roster system will form part of the reform. New efficiencies must be introduced in order that, even with reduced staffing levels, the best possible service continues to be provided to the public. That need for efficiency is what underlies the development of a new roster.

The Garda Commissioner has reiterated the commitment of the Garda Síochána to providing a professional and effective service to the community. This will mean continuing to promote reform and introduce efficiencies, and the Commissioner will have the full support of the Minister in this regard. I am confident that the Garda will continue to maintain the confidence of the public and operate successfully as it has done so effectively since the foundation of the State.

Denis O'Donovan (Fianna Fail)
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That was a comprehensive response.

Martin Conway (Fine Gael)
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Absolutely. I thank the Minister for the reply. We will all support the Garda Commissioner in ensuring the greatest use is made of Garda resources and that it is done in the most efficient manner possible. That gardaí should be based in a station in Miltown Malbay as opposed to Ennistymon is cost neutral. No money would be saved by moving the three gardaí to a different Garda station as I am sure the Garda authorities realise. I look forward to the Garda Síochána engaging with the community in Miltown Malbay to ensure it brings the people of the community with it in regard to any proposed changes which I hope will be unanimously agreed. I hope there will be a meeting of minds on the matter.