Jennifer Murnane O'Connor (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

51. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality when Leighlinbridge Garda station will reopen; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35671/22]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

As the Deputy will appreciate, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of Garda business, which includes all operational policing decisions regarding the Garda estate. This includes the opening of any individual Garda station.

As Minister, I have no role in these independent functions and am unable to seek to direct the Commissioner in such matters.

The Office of Public Works (OPW) manages the maintenance and provision of Garda accommodation in close co-operation with the Garda authorities. Capital works on the Garda Estate are subject to the usual Public Sector procurement and budgetary processes.

The 2016 Programme for Government contained a commitment to reopen six Garda Stations on a pilot basis.

Six Garda stations were identified, four of which have been reopened to date: Rush Garda Station, Co. Dublin, Stepaside Garda Station, Co. Dublin, Donard Garda Station, Co. Wicklow, and Ballinspittle Garda Station, Co. Cork.

I am advised by the Commissioner that the reopening of the two remaining stations of Bawnboy Garda Station, Co. Cavan, and Leighlinbridge Garda Station, Co. Carlow has not been advanced as yet and is being considered in the overall context of the Garda capital programme.

Alan Dillon (Mayo, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

52. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if she will provide an update on the new divisional policing model currently been piloted within the Mayo Garda division; and if she will provide a breakdown of the allocation of 338 Garda members and civilian staff within functional areas, including community engagement, crime, performance assurance and business services. [35921/22]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

As the Deputy will be aware, the transition to a new and modern Garda Operating Model as recommended by the Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland is currently being piloted in four Divisional Policing Models (DPM), one of which is Mayo Division. A key aspect of the reform is to assign more Gardaí to frontline duties and to provide a greater focus on community policing based on local needs.

As the Deputy will appreciate, the rollout of the Operating Model is a matter for the Garda Commissioner and I, as Minister for Justice, have no role in such matters.

The new model, announced by the Garda Commissioner in August 2019, introduces major changes to the structures of An Garda Síochána by providing more front-line Gardaí, increased Garda visibility, and a wider range of policing services for people in their local area.

Reform of An Garda Síochána is a priority for me and the development of a leading edge and accountable policing service through the implementation of A Policing Service for our Future is one of the key goals in Justice Plan 2022.

Under the Divisional Policing Model being introduced, all services will be managed and co-ordinated at divisional level, to allow greater specialisation and to release Gardaí from back office functions, and Garda Districts will no longer form part of the organisational structure.

This will result in a reduction in the number of Garda Divisions from the current 28 to 19 with each comprised of four Functional Areas: Community Engagement, Crime, Performance Assurance and Business Services.

A significant change to the Mayo Division under the Operating Model is the amalgamation with the Roscommon/Longford Division. As an amalgamated Division, Mayo/Roscommon/Longford will have an increased number of Garda personnel across the region, enabling better management of workload and capacity, which will result in a standardisation of procedures and ways of working.

The Garda authorities inform me that the implementation of the Operating Model has initially focused on the Business Services Functional Area. The Mayo/Roscommon/Longford Division has established all elements of the Business Services Functional Area, led by an Assistant Principal. The Business Services Functional Area is reducing the amount of administrative activities performed by operational Members. In turn, this is releasing Garda members to focus on frontline and community policing.