Thomas Pringle (Donegal, Independent)
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621. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if there has been a decrease in Garda hours in the main station in Ballybofey and the Stranorlar area in Donegal in the past year; if so, if his attention has been drawn to the concerns of local businesses and residents of a noticeable increase in criminal activities in the area; the way in which he will address these concerns; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37881/17]

Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy will appreciate, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for Garda station opening hours and the distribution of resources, including personnel, among the various Garda Divisions and I, as Minister, have no direct role in these matters.

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 Ballybofey Garda station is open to members of the public on Monday-Saturday from 10am to 6pm and from 12 midday to 3pm on Sundays and bank-holidays, with mobile patrols conducted over the 24-hour period. Station opening times may vary and are dependent on the availability of Garda personnel to be deployed on duty maintaining the Public Office in the Garda station. When the Garda station is not open to members of the public a sign is prominently displayed in the Garda station window outlining, contact details for the District Headquarters in Letterkenny, in the event of a policing service being required, and when the Garda station will next be open.

I understand from Garda authorities that there is a good working relationship between An Garda Síochána and stakeholders locally and issues arising are addressed through local policing fora and personal engagement with local members. In addition to local patrols, crime prevention and detection initiatives are ongoing, including intelligence led initiatives, such as Operation ‘Thor’, to disrupt criminal activity in the area. In addition to operational policing initiatives, crime prevention meetings have been held locally recently by the Divisional Crime Prevention Officer, providing crime prevention and personal protection advices, especially regarding property-marking and security advice. Local meetings are very well attended.

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 Donegal, in the coming years.