Ciarán Lynch (Cork South Central, Labour)
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Question 133: To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality his plans to close Garda stations in Cork city and county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28052/11]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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I wish to make it clear at this juncture that no decisions have been made in relation to the closure of Garda stations.

The Commissioner is currently carrying out a review of the entire Garda organisation in the context of ensuring that the Force will be in a position to match the deployment of resources to its policing commitments as effectively as possible.

Clearly, an examination of the opening hours and in some cases the viability of Garda stations will form part of this review. The Commissioner may have to consider in appropriate cases whether a better policing service could be delivered to a local community by having Gardaí out on patrol instead of in a station.

I look forward to receiving the Commissioner's proposals, which will be aimed at maximising the efficiency of the Garda Síochána, and prioritising the resources available to operational front-line policing services.