Maria Byrne (Fine Gael)
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I tabled my Commencement matter, on a Garda station for the Castletroy area of Limerick, because I have had a number of calls recently, especially from older people in the community, about the fact that they have to use the Garda station in Henry Street in Limerick, which is approximately 5 km away from where they live. They are conscious of how busy gardaí are and those in Henry Street cover the area out to Bruff, which is a large area. One lady wanted to report a bogus caller but, because of the system, it took three days for the community garda to come back to her. She was concerned for the welfare for some of her neighbours.

Castletroy was originally a separate town from the city of Limerick and has a population of over 16,000, with a student population of some 20,000. With a total of 36,000, it is the largest suburb in Munster and encompasses Annacotty, Lisnagry, Milford and Monaleen, which were also separate areas at one stage. The University of Limerick is on its doorstep and there are a lot of industries growing at a very fast rate. Gardaí are doing a very good job and Limerick has been very lucky in recently receiving one of the new pilot cars with a computer inside it and enhanced Wi-Fi, which is like a Garda station in itself. The residents, however, want a station on their doorstep, even for simple things such as getting a passport signed or to report petty crimes. There is not a huge crime problem in Castletroy but the residents feel very vulnerable without a visible station and gardaí on the ground

Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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The Senator will appreciate that the Garda Commissioner is responsible for carrying on, managing and controlling generally the administration and business of An Garda Síochána. He holds primary responsibility for the effective and efficient use of the resources available to An Garda Síochána, including in relation to the opening and closing of Garda stations. As Minister, I have no direct role in the matter. I understand that Garda management keeps under review the overall policing arrangements, including the operation of Garda stations and the assignment of personnel throughout the State, having regard to factors including crime trends, policing needs and other operational strategies in place on a district, divisional and regional level. This ensures that the optimum use is made of Garda resources and that the best possible Garda service is provided to the public.

The Garda Síochána building and refurbishment programme 2016-2021 includes a number of projects which reflect the priorities of An Garda Síochána. Provision of a Garda station in Castletroy, Limerick, is not included in this programme. I very much understand that people want a visible Garda presence in their own locality. In this context, the programme for Government commits 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 plan to achieve an overall Garda workforce of 21,000 personnel by 2021 comprising 15,000 sworn Garda members, 2,000 reserve members and 4,000 civilians. Further, the Government’s Capital Plan 2016-2021 provides €46 millìon for investment in the Garda fleet, to ensure that An Garda Síochána has a modern, effective and fit-for-purpose fleet. This is in addition to the investment of almost €30 million in the period 2013 to 2015. In total, almost €44 million has been invested in the fleet in the period from 2013 to end of 2017, with some 2,000 vehicles coming on stream in that period.I am informed by the Commissioner that the overall strength of the Limerick division as of 28 February 2018, the latest date for which figures are available, was 559. In addition, I am informed that as at 22 March 2018, some 80 vehicles were available to the Limerick division. I am further advised the area referred to by Senator Byrne is policed by the Henry Street Garda district. The strength in Henry Street was 312 as of 28 February. Where required and appropriate, the work of local Garda in the Limerick division is further supported by a number of Garda national units such as the armed support unit, the national bureau of criminal investigation, the Garda national economic crime bureau and the Garda national drugs and organised crime bureau. The Senator will be aware that the closure of the Garda College in 2010 and the moratorium imposed at that time had a negative impact on Garda numbers across all divisions, including in Limerick. Since the Government reopened the college in September 2014, just under 1,800 recruits have attested as members of An Garda Síochána and have been assigned to mainstream duties nationwide. Of these, 36 have been assigned to the Henry Street Garda district. I understand the point made by Senator Byrne about the Castletroy area. I have taken careful note of what she said.

I expect the ongoing recruitment process will support all Garda activities and enhance visibility within our communities, enabling the Garda Commissioner to provide additional resources across all divisions in accordance with identified operational need as new Garda recruits continue to come on stream. The 2005 Act provides for the establishment of a joint policing committee, JPC, in each local authority administrative area. The function of the JPCs is to serve as a forum for consultations, discussions and recommendations. There are 15 members of the JPC in Limerick. In addition, there are five Oireachtas Members, two members nominated by the gardaí, two local authority officials and seven community representatives.

I encourage Senator Byrne to engage directly with members, including the gardaí, at the local JPC where input can be made on policing plans for the local area.

It is important to note that the question of the dispersal and use of resources available to An Garda Síochána in the delivery of policing services to local communities is under consideration by the Garda Síochána Inspectorate. The appropriate structures and management arrangements for the most effective delivery of policing services are under consideration by the Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland. I expect both bodies to report to me later this year and I look forward to studying both reports. In the meantime, consideration should be given by the local joint policing committee to the matter of the station, in conjunction with local gardaí, to see how we can advance the matter, as has been submitted by Senator Byrne.

Maria Byrne (Fine Gael)
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I appreciate the Minister's response. I regularly attend the joint policing committee and I will engage with the chief superintendent and members of the joint policing committee. Castletroy is the fastest growing suburb in Munster. It is expanding at a huge rate. There is a case to be made. I will engage with the joint policing committee. I thank the Minister for his response. When I have further information I will come back to the Minister with it.

Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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I will be very happy to engage with the Senator in any way that might be deemed constructive or helpful. I visited Limerick recently. I reiterate that Garda management keeps under review the overall policing arrangements, including the operation of Garda stations and the assignment of personnel throughout the area, having regard to factors such as crime trends, policing needs, other operational strategies and the issue of population trends, which has been mentioned by Senator Byrne. I want to ensure that optimum use is made of Garda resources and that the best possible Garda service is provided to the public. I am happy to have this debate this morning. I thank Senator Byrne for her interest in the issue and for bringing the matter to my attention. I am happy to keep her informed of the developments and I trust she will keep me informed of the issue from a local perspective.