Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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88. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality when she will review the Garda stations that were closed under the previous Government; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17081/16]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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The Programme for a Partnership Government recognises that community policing is the embodiment of An Garda Síochána, providing a means of recognising that every community, both urban and rural, has its own concerns and expectations. It commits the Government to ensuring visible, effective and responsive policing in every community, including the most minimal response times possible.

In support of this objective, the Policing Authority will be asked to oversee a review of, among other things, both the boundaries of Garda districts and the dispersement of Garda stations in rural areas, and in developing urban and suburban areas, with a view to ensuring both an efficient and optimum geographical distribution of stations and minimal response times, including taking account of station closures since 2012.

Under the Programme, the Government is committed to launching a pilot scheme to reopen 6 Garda stations, both urban and rural, to determine possible positive impacts that such openings will have on criminal activity, with special emphasis on burglaries, theft and public order.

I will shortly be in contact with the relevant authorities in the relation to these matters.