Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will outline the staffing consequences, the consequences on opening hours and service provision and any other consequences for a Garda Station (details supplied) in County Mayo arising from the proposed downgrading of its current status as a district headquarters; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57156/12]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Local Garda management in the Division and District referred to by the Deputy have been tasked with developing a comprehensive consultation strategy together with a tailored implementation plan that will meet the particular needs of the new Garda District. To this end, they will shortly commence the process of engaging with staff interests and local communities through partnership processes, the Joint Policing Committees and other fora to advise them of the revised policing arrangements, including any changes in opening hours, in the stations in the new District. The objective will be to ensure that the best possible policing service will continue to be provided to the affected communities.

The Garda Commissioner has clearly indicated that 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.