Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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224. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number and location of Garda stations scheduled to be reopened; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33471/17]

Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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The Deputy will appreciate that the Garda Commissioner is primarily responsible for the effective and efficient use of the resources available to An Garda Síochána, and I, as Minister have no role in the matter.

The Deputy will be aware that, on 24 June 2016, the Government authorised the then Minister to request the Garda Commissioner, while fully cognisant of her statutory functions, 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.

On 13 June 2017, the Government considered the second interim report of the Garda Commissioner in relation to the exercise. The Commissioner, having analysed population and crime trends and taking account of the availability of former Garda stations for reuse, makes a number of recommendations including that Stepaside Garda station should be reopened on a pilot basis as soon as any necessary preparatory works have been completed. The Report also indicates that the Commissioner is likely, subject to further analysis, to recommend the reopening of Leighlinbridge, Co. Carlow and Donard, Co. Wicklow in her final report. If a second station is to be reopened in Dublin, the Commissioner has indicated that, subject to further analysis, the former station at Rush, Co. Dublin will be recommended for reopening.