Pádraig Mac Lochlainn (Donegal North East, Sinn Fein)
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To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the criteria he considered before making the decision to close Stepaside Garda Station, County Dublin. [58178/12]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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The Policing Plan for 2013, which has been prepared by the Commissioner and lodged by me in the Oireachtas Library, sets out details of the stations which have been listed for closure in 2013. In preparing that plan, the Commissioner reviewed all aspects of the 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, all Divisional Officers were asked to assess the level of activity in each Garda Station in their area.

The Commissioner has concluded that the communities covered by the areas in question could be better served by having Gardaí patrolling the areas rather than being confined to a specific premises. The Commissioner has also indicated that wherever possible and subject to operational requirements, Gardaí attached to a station which is scheduled for closure will be assigned within the local District.

Specifically in relation to the station referred to by the Deputy, Stepaside is in the Blackrock District in the Dublin Metropolitan Eastern Division and it is approximately 8 kilometres from the District Headquarters at Blackrock Garda Station and 6 kilometres from Dundrum Garda Station. There are 34 members of the Garda Síochána assigned to the Stepaside. The Commissioner has indicated that these members will, insofar as possible, remain in the Blackrock District and will be transferred to Dundrum Garda Station. The freeing up of Gardaí from desk duties in Stepaside Garda Station will increase the number of Gardaí available for frontline policing to the benefit of the community in Stepaside.

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 engage 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 to the public at all times.