Pádraig Mac Lochlainn (Donegal North East, Sinn Fein)
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784. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of Garda station closures there have been in County Mayo for the years 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013. [13747/14]

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn (Donegal North East, Sinn Fein)
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785. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of gardaí who retired and were not replaced in County Mayo for the years 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013. [13748/14]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 784 and 785 together.

There were no station closures in the years 2000 to 2011 inclusive. There were however 39 Garda Stations closed in 2012 of which 4 were in the Mayo Garda Division (Glenisland, Tourmakeady, Mulranny and Bellacorrik). There were 100 Garda Stations closed in 2013 of which 6 were in the Mayo Garda Division (Ballyvary, Ballyglass, Ballycastle, Lahardane, Blacksod and Hollymount).

As the Deputy will be aware, the closure of the stations was proposed by the Garda Commissioner in his Policing Plans for 2012 and 2013. The key objective involved was 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. I fully agree with the Commissioner's proposals in this regard.

While the number of retirements of Gardaí in the Mayo Garda Division in 2000 to 2010 is not readily available, there have been 33 retirements of Gardai in that Division since 2011. The personnel strength of the Mayo Garda Division from 2011 to 31 January 2014, the latest date for which figures are readily available, is shown in the following table. There are also currently 35 Garda Reserves and 32 Civilians attached to the Mayo Garda Division.

As the Deputy will appreciate, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the distribution of all personnel among the Garda Regions, Divisions, and Districts. Garda management keep this distribution under continuing review in the context of crime trends and policing priorities so as to ensure that the best possible use is made of these resources. This necessary ongoing flexibility in the distribution of personnel means that it is not feasible to identify specific vacancies within specific areas or Divisions of the Force.