Alan Farrell (Dublin Fingal, Fine Gael)
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307. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality when a decision will be made on the reopening of Rush Garda station with regard to the pilot scheme to reopen six Garda stations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39116/17]

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. This includes responsibility for the formulation of proposals in relation to the opening and closing of Garda stations, taking into account crime trends and policing priorities, so as to ensure that the best possible use is made of these resources.

Under the Programme for a Partnership Government, the Government is committed to launching a pilot scheme to reopen 6 Garda stations, both urban and rural, to determine possible positive impacts that such openings will have on criminal activity, with special emphasis on burglaries, theft and public order. At its meeting on 13 June 2017, the Government noted the Garda Commissioner’s interim Report which analysed population and crime trends and, taking account of the availability of stations for reuse, makes a number of recommendations including that Stepaside Station in Co. Dublin be reopened on a pilot basis. 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.

The final report of the Commissioner is expected to be received shortly and it will be brought to Government thereafter.