Consultation on closure of rural garda stations

I BELIEVE Labour Party leader Pat Rabbitte was correct recently to raise concerns about the possible closure of rural garda stations.

As a result of the Strategic Management Initiative (SMI) review of the Garda Siochána, it is recommended that no Garda superintendent would manage more than 70 or 90 gardaí. This would result in the downgrading of stations from district headquarters status (where superintendents, known as district officers, are located) to station status.

District headquarters stations provide a 24-hour service and this change could result in a reduction of hours and consequent adjustment in staff numbers. This proposal would result in a reduction of between 20 and 32 superintendents working as district officers. Population demographics would dictate that these reductions occur in rural areas.