Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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124. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the extent to which it has been found possible to maintain the strength of the Garda force throughout the economic downturn by reference and comparison to numbers over the period 2005 to date in 2013; the extent to which some Garda stations operated restricted opening hours or closure for the same period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28466/13]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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141. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the total number of Garda stations closed in the past five years to date; the number, if any, of such stations having previously operated restricted opening hours; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28565/13]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 124 and 141 together.

I am informed by the Garda Commissioner that the total strength of the Force on the 31 December 2005 to 2012, and on the 31 April, 2013, the latest date for which figures are readily available, was as set out below.

The opening hours of Garda stations throughout the country are determined by the Garda Commissioner in response to local demands and the availability of resources. I have asked the Commissioner for details of the current opening hours of Garda stations and on receipt of this information, I will forward it to the Deputy.

As set out in the policing plans for 2012 and 2013, 139 Garda stations have either closed or are scheduled to close by the end of 2013. Some of these were Garda stations in name only and their closure was a formal confirmation of the fact that the stations in question were no longer operational. Many more were open for limited hours during the day. It is the Commissioner's professional opinion that a more effective policing service can be provided through the closure of these stations and the deployment of Gardai on front-line operational policing. I fully agree with the Commissioner in this assessment.

The Commissioner has stated that the revised structures now in place will continue to support the Garda community policing 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 objective will be to ensure that the best possible policing service will continue to be provided to our communities. The Garda Commissioner has also advised that closure of stations will result in some additional 61,000 patrolling hours being available for operational policing.