Seán Kyne (Galway West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality his views on the concerns of persons in rural locations such as Connemara, County Galway, regarding the effectiveness of An Garda Síochána at crime prevention and the upholding of the law and public order in the face of possible closure of rural Garda stations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41982/12]

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

The Deputy will be aware that the Commissioner is responsible for the detailed allocation of resources, including personnel, throughout the organisation and I have no direct function in the matter. This 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 Garda Commissioner is currently engaged in an assessment of the potential for improved efficiencies in the structure and organisation of the Garda Síochána as part of the preparation of the draft policing plan for 2013, which under the Garda Síochána Act 2005 is due to be submitted to me by the end of October this year. The objective is to provide the most effective policing service possible, within available resources, across the country, including rural areas such as referred to by the Deputy. While I expect that the policing plan for 2013 will contain proposals for the further rationalisation of Garda stations and Districts, it would be premature, in advance of its submission, to speculate on specific measures which it might contain.