Peadar Tóibín
Question:183. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Justice if he will list the Garda stations which have been closed, or placed on reduced opening hours, across the country, over the past ten years. [12021/25]
View answerThursday, 20 March 2025
Questions (183)
Written answers
The Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of Garda business under Section 26 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), which includes all operational policing matters. As Minister, I play no role in these independent functions.
However, I have consulted with Garda management with respect to this question, and I have been advised that no Garda Stations officially closed in the last ten years.
I am further advised that the opening hours of Garda Stations is determined at divisional level by Divisional Officers with due consideration to policing and operational needs, aligning divisional priorities and resources. The collation of this information for each division over a ten-year period is deemed impractical and would take a disproportionate amount of time and resources to compile.
I can assure the Deputy that community safety is a top priority for my Department and everyone has the right to be safe and feel safe in their communities, wherever they are in Ireland.
Community policing is at the heart of An Garda Síochána in the provision of a policing service to the whole community, both urban and rural, through a partnership based, proactive, problem solving style of policing. It is focused on community engagement, crime prevention and law enforcement. An Garda Síochána delivers an effective community policing service, responsive to the needs of a modern and diverse community under the following six principles: Community Engagement, Community Partnerships, Problem Solving, Crime Prevention, Law Enforcement and Accountability.
An Garda Síochána’s Community Policing objectives are -
• To engage in partnership opportunities (e.g. JPC / LCSPs, Neighbourhood Watch, Community Alert, local policing fora, various retail fora, Business Watch)
• To provide an accessible and visible Garda service to communities.
• To establish effective engagement processes to meet the needs of local communities and provide feedback to communities.
• To use problem-solving initiatives, devised in partnership with communities and local agencies, to tackle crime, drugs, public disorder and anti-social behaviour, through targeted enforcement, crime prevention and reduction initiatives.
• To engage in a community-focused approach to provide solutions that reduces the fear of crime.
• To engage meaningfully with young people to develop and foster positive relationships and promote personal and community safety.
• To enhance communication strategies that articulate community policing objectives and outcomes.
• To work in partnership with other agencies to ensure safety on our streets and roads.
• To be accountable to the community we serve.
An Garda Síochána has invested in ensuring the availability of bespoke community engagement vehicles to engage with rural communities. Garda mobile clinics have been used to excellent effect in providing policing services to rural communities. Mobile clinics are multi-purpose vans that can be used for a range of activities including acting as a mobile Garda Station to allow members of An Garda Síochána greater accessibility across communities.