Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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Question 500: To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will confirm that Garda stations (details supplied) will remain open during 2012 and beyond; and if there has been any discussion regarding to their closure. [15453/12]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy is aware, the Commissioner's Policing Plan for 2012, which I laid before both Houses of the Oireachtas on 5 December 2011, sets out the future opening hours of 10 Garda Stations and the closure of 39 Garda Stations. Rhode, Clonbologue and Daingean Garda Stations are not on either of these lists. The only station in the Laois/Offaly Garda Division which is already closed and is listed for formal closure is Geashill Garda Station.

In preparing the Policing Plan, the Garda Commissioner 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. In this context the Commissioner has concluded that Garda resources could be better deployed and more effectively used on the frontline if a particular station no longer had to be staffed and maintained. The Policing Plan for 2013 has not yet been prepared and therefore it is not possible to say at this stage what it may contain.

Specifically in relation to the Laois/Offaly Garda Division, on 29 February 2012, the latest date for which figures are readily available, there were 292 Gardaí assigned to the Division of which 92 are assigned to the Tullamore District including 1 assigned to Clonbologue Garda Station, 2 to Daingean Garda Station and 2 to Rhode Garda Station. In addition there are 14 Garda Reserve members and 5 civilian staff also serving in the Tullamore District. These resources are augmented, when appropriate, by Gardaí from national units such as the Garda National Drug Unit and the National Bureau of Criminal Investigation.