Niall Collins (Limerick, Fianna Fail)
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402. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the way the closure of Garda stations has impacted on Garda call-out and response times; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30347/15]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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The formulation of proposals in relation to the opening and closing of Garda stations is a matter, in the first instance, for the Garda Commissioner in the context of annual policing plans, as provided for in section 22 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005.

An Garda Síochána completed a comprehensive review of its district and station network in 2012 and 2013. The objective was to identify opportunities to introduce strategic reforms to enhance service delivery, increase efficiency and streamline practices within the organisation. The review concluded that a revised district and station network commensurate with the organisation’s resource base would best meet public demand.

I am informed by Garda management that the Garda District and Station Rationalisation Programme continues to provide for effectiveness and efficiencies through a programme of restructuring and reconfiguration of service delivery methods, concomitant with changes to work practices within the new rostering arrangements already introduced.

I am further informed that the restructured station network continues to provide the necessary levels of policing services through a centralisation of services which in turn has facilitated the introduction of enhanced patrolling systems that are operational and intelligence led. This helps ensure that a high visibility and community oriented policing service continues to be delivered throughout the country and yields the following benefits:

-Increased Garda visibility and patrol hours

-Increased mobility and flexibility within an area resulting in an improved policing service to the public

-Enhanced co-ordination of Garda activity resulting in a greater visibility and presence in the communities

-More effective use of limited resources across a wider area

-Continued Garda presence in communities

Finally I have been assured by the Garda authorities that local Garda Management closely monitors the allocation of all resources in the context of crime trends, policing needs and other operational strategies in place on a District, Divisional and Regional level, to ensure optimum use is made of Garda resources, and the best possible Garda service is provided to the public.