Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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146. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if his attention has been drawn to the concerns of residents in Rathcoole, County Dublin, regarding the absence of a Garda service from Clondalkin Garda station when the Rathcoole Garda station is closed and the anxiety this is causing residents; the information he will provide to assure residents in Rathcoole that they will be provided with the necessary policing when the Rathcoole Garda station is closed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29883/18]

Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy will appreciate, it is the Garda Commissioner who is responsible for the distribution of resources, including personnel and Garda station opening hours, among the various Garda divisions. As Minister, I have no direct role in the matter. I am informed, however, that Garda management keeps this distribution of resources under continual review in the context of crime trends and policing priorities so as to ensure that the optimum use is made of these resources.

I am informed by the Garda authorities that Rathcoole Garda Station forms part of the Clondalkin District in the Dublin Metropolitan Region (DMR) West Division. Rathcoole Garda Station is open daily from 10:00am to 1:00pm and 2:00pm to 6:00pm subject to available manpower. While the position is kept under review by the Garda authorities, I understand that there are currently no plans to increase the opening hours of the station.

I am informed by the Garda authorities that on 31 May 2018, the latest date for which figures are readily available, the strength of the DMR West Division was 671. The strength of the Clondalkin District was 192, of whom 96 and 14 were assigned to Clondalkin and Rathcoole Garda Stations respectively. There are also 26 Garda Reserves and 55 civilians attached to the Division. Where appropriate, the work of local Gardaí is supported by a number of Garda national units such as the National Bureau of Criminal Investigation, the Armed Support Units, the Garda National Economic Crime Bureau and the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau. In that regard, I understand from the Garda authorities that supporting resources are available to personnel detailed for duty in Rathcoole, as is the case for all other subdistricts, from within the Division.

I am further informed by the Garda authorities that in regard to the deployment of Garda personnel, a distribution model is used which takes into account all relevant factors including population, crime trends and the policing needs of each individual Garda Division.

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 achieve this the Government has put in place a plan for an overall Garda workforce of 21,000 personnel by 2021 comprising 15,000 Garda members, 2,000 Reserve members and 4,000 civilians. We are making real, tangible progress on achieving this goal.

This focus on investment in personnel is critical. We are now rebuilding the organisation and providing the Commissioner with the resources needed to deploy increasing numbers of Gardaí. Undoubtedly, the ongoing recruitment process will support all Garda activities and enhance visibility within our communities and will enable the Commissioner to provide additional resources across every Garda Division, including the DMR West Division, as new Garda recruits continue to come on stream.