Peter Cleere (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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337. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of buildings An Garda Síochána owns in counties Carlow and Kilkenny, for all stations in Carlow and Kilkenny; the frequency with which they are opened; the number of staff assigned to each; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14825/25]

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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I am committed to ensuring that An Garda Síochána has the resources it needs to fight crime and a strengthened, well-resourced Garda organisation is central to this policy. The Garda Vote in Budget 2025 saw unprecedented funding of over €2.48 billion for this year, a 27% increase since 2020 which is supporting the continued recruitment of Garda members and staff.

In the interest of transparency, information in relation to the allocation of Gardaí members and Garda Staff by Division and Station, including for stations in Carlow and Kilkenny is publicly available and can be found at the following link:

www.gov.ie/en/publication/bd777-an-garda-siochana-your-police-service-some-facts-and-figures/

Furthermore, information on Garda station opening hours is publicly available and published on An Garda Síochána's website at the following link: Station Directory - Garda.

I am advised by the garda authorities that in order to answer calls for service in a community, it is sometimes necessary to close Garda Stations during posted opening times. This is particularly true in stations where there is only one member assigned. When closed, stations are covered for service by larger Hub Stations.

Under Garda Safe Command and Control, members from any Garda Station may be despatched to calls and incidents in any area. Regularly, members from the main centres at Kilkenny, Thomastown and Carlow are despatched to calls in rural areas on occasions where there may be no members working/available in those rural areas. In addition, specialised capabilities including Detectives, Roads Policing and Community Policing members may be despatched as required.