Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will clarify the issue regarding the closure of Garda stations; the role the Office of Public Works has in closures; if the decision comes from Department of Justice and Equality or if any report on the condition of station is first sought from the OPW; specifically in relation to Whitehall Garda Station, Dublin recently closed, if he will outline the considerable refurbishment project done in recent years; the cost of same when completed; if the long term need of the station was not determined at that stage; the plans now for this recently refurbished building; if he will examine internal procedures to avoid waste in future in order that buildings will not have resources spent on them and be closed as soon as project is completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39663/12]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

In accordance with Section 22 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005, the Garda Commissioner must each year prepare a policing plan setting out the proposed arrangements for the policing of the State for the following year, including any proposal to cease stationing members in a Garda station.

With regard to Whitehall station, the Deputy will be aware that this was one of a number of stations where closure was proposed by the Commissioner in the Garda Policing Plan for 2012. In that context the position is that, in making his recommendations on the closure of each Garda station, the Commissioner reviewed all aspects of An 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, I am advised by the Garda authorities that 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 any station closure is to promote the more efficient and effective deployment of resources rather than secure modest cash savings.

The Deputy will be aware that the Whitehall Garda station premises forms part of the portfolio of State properties owned and maintained by the Office of Public Works and I am advised that they have previously undertaken maintenance works at the station with a view to securing the overall fabric of the building. Expenditure on the relevant refurbishment works was undertaken from the Vote of the Office of Public Works. The question of the possible future use of the property is also a matter for the Office of Public Works and I understand that they are open to proposals as to how best to utilise the premises.