Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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133. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the extent to which it is expected particular Garda stations are likely to reopen; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44529/17]

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 including responsibility for the formulation of proposals in relation to the opening and closing of Garda stations and I, as Minister, have no role in the matter.

Indeed, this was the basis on which the Garda District and Station Rationalisation Programme was developed and implemented, resulting in the closure of some 139 Garda stations.  I am informed by the Garda authorities that the closures have allowed front line Garda to be managed and deployed with greater mobility, greater flexibility and in a more focused fashion particularly with regard to various targeted police operations.

As the Deputy will be aware, the Programme for a Partnership Government commits to 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.

I recently published the second interim report of the Garda Commissioner, which recommended that the former Stepaside station in Co. Dublin be reopened on a pilot basis and indicated that, subject to further analysis, the Commissioner is likely to recommend in the final report the inclusion of the former stations at Leighlinbridge, Co. Carlow and Donard, Co. Wicklow in the pilot scheme. If a second station is to be reopened in Dublin, the Report indicates that the Commissioner is likely, subject to further analysis, to recommend that the former station at Rush, Co. Dublin be included in the pilot scheme.

The final report in relation to this matter is expected to be received shortly and will be brought before Government thereafter.