Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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Question 162: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the status of the review of Garda boundaries and divisions, as to the boundaries and divisions that will be considered for review in 2008; and if a public consultation process is planned. [16788/08]

Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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In accordance with the provisions of the Garda Síochána Acts 2005 to 2007 proposals, inter alia, to alter the boundaries of a divisional geographical area are a matter in the first instance for the Garda Commissioner in the context of the Annual Policing Plan. The 2008 Policing Plan, which I laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas, contains the Commissioner's proposals to realign Garda boundaries in a number of areas around the country to make them coterminous with the functional boundaries of local authorities.

The planned changes will bring about greater efficiencies and effectiveness in facilitating the establishment and functioning of Joint Policing Committees. I am advised by the Garda authorities that a detailed programme of work is currently being developed by the Garda Síochána to implement these planned changes for various Garda Divisions and this includes consultation with various stakeholders. This programme of work will also examine the geographical areas of district and sub-district stations arising from the boundary realignments set out in the plan and set out a timetable for the establishment of the new Divisions.

The Commissioner has also indicated in the Policing Plan that an examination of Divisions and Districts within the Dublin Metropolitan Region will be conducted in 2008 for the purposes of alignment with the local authority areas and in light of demographic and infrastructural changes in the region.