Tommy Broughan (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
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91. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of Garda stations at each location in the community that have been closed each year between 2011 and 2015; the outcome of each premises at each location; the total costs associated with the premises at each location for the same period; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10661/17]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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During 2011 and 2012, as the Deputy will be aware, An Garda Síochána completed a comprehensive review of its district and station network. The objective of this review 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.

As a result, the Garda District and Station Rationalisation Programme was implemented in 2012 and 2013. This was reflected in An Garda Síochána’s Policing Plans for 2012 and 2013 which set out the details of the closure of 39 Garda stations in 2012 and 100 Garda stations in 2013 and the amalgamation of 28 Garda districts to fourteen 14 enlarged Garda districts. In addition, Kilmihil Garda station closed on 31 January 2013 with the policing service for the Kilmihil sub-district being provided by Lissycasey Garda station. On 2 March 2015, Lissycasey Garda Station was closed and Kilmihil Garda Station was reopened.

I am advised by the Garda Authorities that almost all of the Garda Stations closed under the Programme were returned to, and are now under the control and maintenance of the Office of Public Works (OPW). The costs associated with these properties and their potential future use are matters for the OPW as the owner of the properties. I understand that the OPW has sold a number of the properties, assigned a number of properties to community groups and retained a number of properties for State use.

The Garda Stations closed in 2012 and 2013 are listed in the following tables.

39 Garda Stations closed in 2012

Table 2: Garda Station Closures 2013 -100 Garda Stations closed in 2013

1 Garda Station closed in 2015