Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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Question 653: To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will report on the operation of Howth Garda station, County Dublin, from 1 January 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1419/12]

Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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Question 654: To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if the parishes of Howth, Sutton, Mid-Sutton and Baldoyle, County Dublin, will be patrolled on an hourly basis throughout the evening hours in view of Howth's tourist business; the steps he will take to ensure that Howth town and district is adequately patrolled on weekend and holiday evenings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1420/12]

Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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Question 655: To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if the parish of Malahide, County Dublin, will be patrolled on an hourly basis throughout the evening hours in view of Malahide's tourist business; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1421/12]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 653 to 655, inclusive, together.

The Commissioner's Policing Plan for 2012, which I laid before both Houses of the Oireachtas on 5th December 2011, sets out the future opening hours of Malahide and Howth Garda Stations. These are to be reduced to 8:00am to 10:00pm, from the current 24 hour basis. It is important to remember that while the Garda stations in question will have reduced opening hours to the public, they will remain as functioning Garda stations on a 24 hour basis.

Details of Garda patrols are not made public for operational reasons. However, the Commissioner concluded that resources could be better deployed and more effectively used on the frontline if particular stations no longer had to be staffed and maintained or if the public opening hours of other stations, such as the stations referred to by the Deputy, could be reduced at off-peak times. The Garda Commissioner has reiterated the commitment of An Garda Síochána to providing a professional and effective service to the community. Each Divisional Officer with responsibility for a Division that will be affected by this decision has been tasked with developing a comprehensive consultation strategy together with a tailored implementation plan that will meet the particular needs of their Division.

I am also informed by the Commissioner that local Garda management in each District and Division closely monitors the allocation of all resources in the context of crime trends, policing needs and other operational strategies in place. This ensures that optimum use is made of Garda resources, and the best possible Garda service is provided to the public, including in the areas referred to by the Deputy.