Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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592. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the reason the opening hours of a Garda station (details supplied) have been reduced; the number of personnel there are at present; the hours they operate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37309/17]

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

In this context, I understand that Garda management keeps under review the overall policing arrangements, including the operation of Garda stations and assignment of personnel, throughout the State having regard to, for example, crime trends, policing needs and other operational strategies in place on a District, Divisional and Regional level.

This ensures that optimum use is made of Garda resources and that the best possible Garda service is provided to the general public.

I am informed by the Garda authorities that, as at 31 July 2017, the latest date for which information is available, there are some 18 members assigned to Ballyconnell Garda Station: 15 Gardaí and 3 Sergeants. I am also informed that, with effect from Monday, 24 July, 2017, Ballyconnell Garda station is open to members of the public between 9am and 9pm, with high-visibility operational policing patrols conducted throughout the Garda District outside of those hours.

When the public office of the station is not open to members of the public, personal callers are referred to Cavan Garda Station, which operates 24-hours a day. In addition, telephone calls received outside of opening hours are automatically transferred to Cavan Garda station.

As the Deputy will be aware, this Government is committed to ensuring a strong and visible police presence throughout the country in order to maintain and strengthen community engagement, provide reassurance to citizens and to deter crime. To make this a reality for all, the Government has in place a plan to achieve an overall Garda workforce of 21,000 personnel by 2021 comprising 15,000 Garda members, 2,000 Reserve members and 4,000 civilians. In 2017, funding has been provided for the recruitment of 800 Garda recruits and up to 500 civilians to support the wide ranging reform plan in train in An Garda Síochána. Funding has also been provided for the recruitment of 300 Garda Reserves.

This plan is progressing apace. I am informed by the Commissioner that, since the reopening of the Garda College in September 2014, almost 1,200 recruits have attested as members of An Garda Síochána and have been assigned to mainstream duties nationwide. I am also informed that another 400 trainee Garda are scheduled to attest this year which will see Garda numbers, taking account of projected retirements, increase to around the 13,500 mark by year end - an increase of 500 since the end of 2016.

This focus on investment in personnel is critical. The moratorium on recruitment introduced in 2010 resulted in a significant reduction in the strength of An Garda Síochána. We are now rebuilding the organisation and providing the Commissioner with the resources needed to allow for the deployment of increasing numbers of Gardaí across every Garda Division, including Cavan/Monaghan, in the coming years.