John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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Question 96: To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the savings made to date from the restricted closing hours of stations in the Dublin metropolitan region; if he will outline these savings on a station by station basis; his views on the challenges of the restricted opening hours at Donnybrook Garda Station which is adjacent to the location of a busy disco event every weekend; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22632/12]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy will be aware, on 30 April, 2012, the opening hours of 10 Garda Stations in the Dublin Metropolitan Region (D.M.R.) were reduced from being open on a 24 hour basis to being open to the public between the hours of 7.00am and 9.00pm only. 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. 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 Deputy will be aware that the Commissioner, in consultation with his senior management team, is responsible for the detailed allocation of resources, including personnel, throughout the organisation. The reduction in the opening hours of Donnybrook and other Garda stations means that Gardaí who heretofore were required to operate at public counters are now available for operational policing. The allocation of resources is constantly monitored in the context of crime trends, policing needs and other operational strategies in place on a District, Divisional and Regional level to ensure optimum use is made of Garda resources and the best possible Garda service is provided to the public. The priority is, and will remain, that an effective and professional policing service is provided to every part of the community, both rural and urban.

There are 171 Gardaí assigned to the Donnybrook District itself. There are also 57 Garda Reserves and 33 Civilians attached to the D.M.R. South Central in which Donnybrook Garda is located. 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.