Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 98: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform when he last held a formal meeting with the Garda Commissioner; if he is satisfied with the implementation by the gardai of the new divisional boundaries; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40178/09]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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I am in continuous communication with the Commissioner of An Garda Síochána, and I meet with him personally on a regular basis.

The changes to Divisional boundaries were contained in the Commissioner's 2008 Annual Policing Plan which was approved by me and laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas. At the outset, an overall Programme Board was established by the Garda Síochána, chaired by an Assistant Commissioner, with broad representation for the various Garda areas and a representative from my Department. The purpose of this Board was to develop an overall strategy for the rollout and to devise templates setting out the various tasks to be undertaken. Project Boards, chaired by the local Divisional officer, were then established in each Division to develop tailored implementation plans based on these templates. The relevant Project Boards, on which the staff associations are represented, are managing all tasks associated with each individual rollout.

Significant progress has been made to date commencing with the creation of new Divisions e.g. Louth, Wicklow and Roscommon/Longford and the rollout of re-aligned Divisional boundaries across all the regions.