Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Question 400: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if it is proposed to create a new Garda district within the new Carlow/Kilkenny Division in the south Kilkenny-Ferrybank area to deal with areas formerly attached to the Waterford and Clonmel districts which will now be included in the new Carlow-Kilkenny division; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20630/08]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, 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 contains the Commissioner's proposals to realign Garda boundaries in a number of areas around the country to make them coterminous with local authority boundaries. This includes the establishment of a new Carlow/Kilkenny Division with Kilkenny as the Divisional Headquarters and the establishment of the city and county of Waterford as one Division with Waterford as the Divisional Headquarters.

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 well advanced to implement these planned changes including the Divisions referred to by the Deputy. This programme of work will ensure that service delivery to the community is maintained to a high standard and will also examine the geographical areas of district and sub-district stations arising from the Divisional boundary realignments.