Josepha Madigan (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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129. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if she has received the Garda Commissioner's report on the reopening of Garda stations; if so, when the stations will be reopened; when a decision will issue on Stepaside Garda station; and, if the report has yet to be completed, when it is expected. [41459/16]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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The Deputy will be aware that the Government has, in the Programme for a Partnership Government, recognised community policing as 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 line with the commitment in the Programme, I have requested the Garda Commissioner, while fully cognisant of her statutory functions in relation to the distribution of Garda resources in the State, to identify 6 stations for reopening on a pilot basis to determine possible positive impacts that such openings will have on criminal activity, with special emphasis on burglaries, theft and public order. I understand that work is currently underway in An Garda Síochána to identify the 6 stations for inclusion in the pilot. I have not received a report on any aspect of this matter from the Garda authorities and pending receipt of that report I am not in a position to give any further information.

It is intended that the results of the pilot scheme will feed into the wider review being overseen by the Policing Authority into, amongst other things, the dispersal of Garda stations in rural areas. In this regard, I understand that the Authority has formally requested the Garda Síochána Inspectorate to examine the dispersal and use of resources available to the Garda Síochána in the delivery of policing services to local communities and to make recommendations to provide a more effective, visible and responsive policing service.