Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the way he intends to address the policing needs of the 100 communities in which he proposes to close local Garda stations; the way the Garda Commissioner intends to provide policing cover in these areas following the relocation of locally based Gardaí to stations in larger urban centres; if the relocated Gardaí will continue to police their former communities as usual or if they will be absorbed into the provision of service at their new location; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56032/12]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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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. 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. 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.

Details of the closures are set out in the Policing Plan have for 2013 which is available in the Oireachtas library. The Plan also provides details of the alternative policing arrangements for the areas in question. The Commissioner has indicated that wherever possible and subject to operational requirements, Gardai attached to a station which is scheduled for closure will be assigned within the local District.

We also need to be honest about the level of policing service that was capable of being provided from the stations that were and are to be closed. Of the 100 stations to be closed next year, 98% are only open part-time, 94% are open for 3 hours a day or less, 88% are served by 1 Garda and only 5% are served by 3 or more Garda personnel. In fact, of the 39 stations closed this year, 8 were not actually open at all. Their closure was a paper exercise which simply recognised reality.

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.

Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the savings that will arise from his proposed closure of a Garda Station (details supplied) in County Kildare; his plans for the station building; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56033/12]

Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the savings that will arise from his proposed closure of a Garda station in County Kildare; his plans for the station building; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56034/12]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 130 and 131 together.

The Garda Commissioner is the Accounting Officer for the Garda Vote and I have been informed by the Garda authorities that the annual financial saving estimated to arise in respect of the closure of the stations referred to by the Deputy is Euro 4,000 per station. To a large extent these estimates relate to heating and lighting costs and they do not take account of specific repair bills, which will vary from premises to premises.

As the Deputy will be aware, the closure of the two stations has been proposed by the Garda Commissioner in his Policing Plan for 2013 and I would stress that the key objective involved is to promote the more efficient and effective deployment of resources rather than to secure modest cash savings. In this context the Commissioner has concluded in relation to certain stations that Garda resources could be better deployed and more effectively used on the front line if the stations no longer had to be staffed and maintained.

In making his recommendations on the closure of Garda stations, the Commissioner reviewed all aspects of An Garda Síochána's policing model, including the deployment of personnel, the utilisation of modern technologies and the overall operation of Garda stations. In addition, the Commissioner has given a commitment that where a station is to be closed local Garda management will consult with local communities on the alternative policing arrangements to be put in place in their area.

Furthermore, the Garda Commissioner has indicated he is confident that the implementation of the restructuring proposals contained in the 2013 Policing Plan will not lead to any diminution in the service provided by An Garda Síochána. In that regard he has stated that the revised structures will continue to support the Garda community philosophy through the clustering of services at policing hubs. This centralisation of services will facilitate the introduction of enhanced patrolling arrangements which, in turn, will provide increased Garda visibility as well as maintaining existing Garda links with communities throughout the country.

The question of the future of a vacated Garda station is a matter for the Office of Public Works. Where such a premises is State-owned, it will be available for alternative community use or disposal.