Michelle Mulherin (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the maximum distance to a 24 hour Garda station he considers acceptable to service a local community when the Garda station in its locality is proposed to be closed down under the programme of consolidation of the Garda network which is being implemented; and the considerations being given to persons living in remote rural areas with poor road infrastructure. [55905/12]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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The Deputy will be aware that 100 of the 664 Garda Stations throughout the State are due to close in the coming year. The stations selected for closure are those which are in areas that, in the professional opinion of the Garda Commissioner, could be better served by having Gardaí patrolling the areas rather than being confined to a specific premises. In coming to this view, the Commissioner would have taken all relevant factors into consideration, including the distance to other stations.

Details of the closures are set out in the Policing Plan have for 2013 which is lodged in the Oireachtas library. The Plan also provides details of the alternative policing arrangements for the areas in question. In this regard, the Deputy will also be aware that the Garda National Model of Community Policing plays a key part in responding to crime by taking into account and responding to local conditions and needs, including in remote areas. In this regard the Gardaí continue to work closely with all communities to enhance community safety through a wide range of local fora such as Community Alert and Neighbourhood Watch, as well as more formal structures such as Joint Policing Committees.

The implementation of the reduction in the number of Garda stations and Districts will take place in full consultation with the local communities and staffing interests. Local Garda management will shortly commence the process of engaging with these communities through the Joint Policing Committees and other fora to advise them of the revised policing arrangements for the localities in question. The objective will be to ensure that the best possible policing service will be provided at all times.

I am conscious of the need to maintain, to the greatest extent possible, the operational effectiveness of An Garda Síochána. It is for that reason that a further €5 million is being made available for the purchase and fit-out of new Garda vehicles in 2013. This level of expenditure, at a time of severe budgetary constraint, represents a very significant investment in Garda transport and I have no doubt that the additional funding will considerably strengthen the overall effectiveness of the Force in delivering a policing service to communities throughout the country. I am also confident that, when the relevant budgetary figures are being determined for 2014, the importance of investment in Garda transport will continue to be recognised.