Frank Feighan (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

165. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if she will confirm that a full service will be maintained in relation to opening hours at the Garda station in Boyle in County Roscommon; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12620/15]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Decisions in relation to the allocation of resources, including station opening hours, are a matter for the Garda Commissioner in the context of her operational requirements and I have no direct function in the matter.

I have been informed by the Garda authorities that local Garda management have reviewed the hours at which Boyle Garda station is currently open to the public in the context of providing an enhanced policing service to the newly enlarged District of Castlerea. These arrangements are designed to free up Garda personnel for outdoor policing duties who would otherwise be engaged in keeping the station open to the public.

I have been assured that Boyle Garda station will remain a fully functioning station with Garda members providing a twenty four hour service, seven days a week. There will be no reduction in the number of Garda personnel assigned to the station and the same level of resources and Garda patrols will continue to be deployed to the area.

In addition, I have been further informed that the new times at which the station is open to the public will continue to be reviewed to ensure that the revised arrangements are delivering an enhanced policing service. The new public opening hours for Boyle Garda station will take effect from Monday, 6^thApril 2015 and are as set out in the following table.

I have been informed by the Garda authorities that they are satisfied that a comprehensive policing service will continue to be delivered in the area concerned and that the proposed structures will ensure the delivery of an effective and efficient policing service to the community.