Martin Ferris (Kerry North, Sinn Fein)
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Question 69: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position regarding the plan for rationalisation of Garda stations in view of the Garda Inspectorate's Resource Allocation Report. [5541/10]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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The Garda Inspectorate was established under the Garda Síochána Act 2005 to ensure that Garda resources are used efficiently and effectively as measured by reference to the best standards of comparable police services. This is the sixth report of the Inspectorate and it focuses on the allocation of human resources in frontline, uniform policing.

The report contains many positive recommendations on how the fluctuating demand for policing services can be better measured and how Garda resources can be more efficiently deployed to meet that demand.

The Inspectorate's report suggests that fewer stations in the Dublin Metropolitan Region need to be open for administrative services to the public on a 24/7 basis, potentially freeing up more Gardaí for frontline operational duties. The Garda Inspectorate has not recommended the closure of any stations. The Garda Commissioner, who has made clear the priority he gives to maximising operational strength, will consider this recommendation in the context of the report as a whole and in the light of his assessment of Garda operational requirements.