Thomas Byrne (Meath East, Fianna Fail)
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70. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality when the review of Garda districts as promised under the programme for Government will be published. [24328/17]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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The Deputy will be aware that the Garda Síochána Inspectorate, at the request of the Policing Authority, is carrying out a review of the dispersal and use of resources available to An Garda Síochána in the delivery of policing services to local communities. In this context, I understand that the Authority has informed the Inspectorate that the review should take account of:

- the changing environments in rural, developing urban and suburban areas;

- the views of local communities;

- the allocation to and deployment of Garda resources at the local policing level, including the use of the Garda Reserve, Garda facilities and Garda equipment; and

- relevant recommendations made in previous Inspectorate reports.

It is clear that a comprehensive review is being envisaged by the Authority, including a consultative process with local communities. I have been advised by the Policing Authority that the view of the Garda Síochána Inspectorate is that the review will take a considerable time to complete and I understand that the review should be completed within the first half of 2018.

My officials will remain in close contact with the Authority in relation to the progress of the review and I am confident that the Authority will, working with the Inspectorate, ensure that the review will be completed as soon as it is feasible to do so.

I look forward to receiving the report from the Authority in due course.