Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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111. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of Garda stations that have operated restricted opening hours in each of the past ten years to date; her plans to increase the opening hours of such stations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27753/16]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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The Deputy will appreciate that decisions in relation to Garda station opening hours are a matter for the Garda Commissioner and I, as Minister, have no direct role in the matter.

I am advised by the Garda authorities that the provision of the material requested by the Deputy would entail a disproportionate use of Garda time and resources; however, I am informed that, under the Garda District and Station Rationalisation Programme 2012 -2013, the following stations operate under revised opening hours:

The revised structures under the Station Rationalisation Programme, I am informed, facilitates the introduction of enhanced patrolling systems that are operational, intelligence led and ensure that a high visibility and community-oriented policing service continues to be delivered throughout the country yielding 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.

The Deputy will be aware that the Programme for a Partnership Government, commits the Government to asking the Policing Authority to oversee a review of, amongst other things, both the boundaries of Garda districts and the disbursement of Garda stations in rural areas. In addition, 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 have been in contact with the Authority and the Garda Commissioner with a view to giving effect to these commitments.

I am assured by the Garda authorities that the allocation of Garda resources is continually monitored and reviewed to ensure that optimum use is made of these resources and that the best possible Garda service is provided to the general public.