Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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110. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if his attention has been drawn to the fact that Rathcoole Garda station is only open one day a week; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41328/17]

John Curran (Dublin Mid West, Fianna Fail)
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119. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of hours per day and the number of days per week that Rathcoole Garda station is staffed and open to the public (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41118/17]

Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 110 and 119 together.

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, including the opening times of Garda stations. As Minister, I have no role in 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.

Rathcoole Garda Station forms part of the Clondalkin District and I am informed by the Commissioner that the Garda strength of the Clondalkin District, on 31 August 2017, the latest date for which figures are readily available, is 196 members of which 15 were assigned to Rathcoole Garda station. There are also 7 Garda Reserves and 15 civilians attached to the Clondalkin District. When appropriate, the work of local Gardaí is supported by a number of Garda national units such as the National Bureau of Criminal Investigation, the Garda National Economic Crime Bureau and the Garda National Drugs and the Organised Crime Bureau.

I am advised that the Garda Station referred to is open to the public between 10am - 1pm and 2pm and 6pm Monday to Sunday, subject to the availability of Garda personnel for duty at the 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 1,400 recruits have attested as members of An Garda Síochána and have been assigned to mainstream duties nationwide. I am also informed that another 200 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 in the coming years.