John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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Question 364: To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the amount if funding already spent and the amount committed to the extensive renovation works being carried out at Loughlynn Garda station, Roscommon; if the Garda Síochána finance division advised against the works being undertaken while rural stations were being reviewed; if this station is to be kept in service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2115/12]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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1I am advised by the Garda authorities that an expenditure of €2,200 was incurred by An Garda Síochána from the Garda Vote in respect of minor repair works to Loughglynn Garda station in 2010.

I am further advised that the Office of Public Works has separately undertaken maintenance works at Loughglynn Garda station with a view to securing the overall fabric of the building, in the context of the ongoing maintenance of its property portfolio. Expenditure on these works has been provided from the Vote of the Office of Public Works.

With regard to the closing of the station, the position is that, in reaching a decision on the closure of a number of Garda stations, the Commissioner has reviewed all aspects of the Garda Síochána's policing model, including the deployment of personnel, the utilisation of modern technologies and the operation of Garda stations, both in terms of opening hours and possible closures. In addition, all Divisional Officers were asked to assess the level of activity in each Garda station in their area.

It must be stressed that the key objective of the station closures is to promote the more efficient and effective deployment of resources rather than secure modest cash savings. The Commissioner concluded that resources could be better deployed and more effectively used on the front line if these particular stations no longer had to be staffed and maintained and there are therefore no plans to review this decision.

The priority will remain the provision of an effective and professional policing service to every part of the community, both rural and urban.