Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent)
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61. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality her views on the requests to have the Garda station at Fitzgibbon Street, Dublin 1, re-opened given recent crime-related events and the concerns of local residents that the station be re-opened; the status of the closure of the Garda station at Harcourt Street, Dublin 2; if the Garda station at Fitzgibbon Street will be a viable option; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21906/16]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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The Deputy will be aware that the programme of replacement and refurbishment of Garda accommodation around the country is progressed by the Garda authorities working in close co-operation with the Office of Public Works, who have the responsibility for the provision and maintenance of Garda accommodation.

I would refer the Deputy to my reply to Parliamentary Question No. 78 of 15 June 2016 wherein I indicated that, following the advice of the Office of Public Works regarding the condition of the station, it was deemed necessary to vacate Fitzgibbon Street Garda Station on a temporary basis to facilitate refurbishment works. This matter will be progressed by An Garda Síochána, in collaboration with the Office of Public Works, in the context of the national accommodation priorities of An Garda Síochána and the level of capital funding available.

The Office of Public Works has refurbished the former Prison Officers Quarters at Mountjoy Prison and the adjacent Mountjoy Garda Station so that Gardaí attached to both Mountjoy and Fitzgibbon Street can operate efficiently and effectively on a temporary basis from this location.

In addition, a building adjacent to Fitzgibbon Street Garda Station was identified as suitable for a Garda Office and, following some refurbishment, now operates as a public office on a 24-hour basis to provide for an ongoing Garda presence in Fitzgibbon Street. The Burglary Response Unit for DMR North Central Division also operates from this site. I understand that there are 2 Sergeants and 20 Gardaí allocated to Community Policing duties specifically in the Fitzgibbon Street area who are supported by uniform and plain clothes personnel on mobile, mountain bike and foot patrols.

Local Garda management closely monitors the allocation of all resources in the context of crime trends, policing needs and other operational strategies in place to ensure that optimum use is made of Garda resources and that the best possible Garda service is provided to the public. This situation is kept under continuous review.

In relation to the former Garda station at Harcourt Terrace, which was closed on foot of the Garda District and Station Rationalisation Programme 2012-2013, I understand that the site is earmarked for the construction of a new primary school.