The closure of 139 Garda stations under a programme of rationalisation has resulted in a saving to the State of €556,000 per annum.
In answer to a parliamentary question by Sinn Féin’s Pádraig Mac Lochlainn Minister for Justice Frances Fitzgerald said the estimated savings on utilities and maintenance as a result of the closure of each station is approximately €4,000 per annum.
“The Garda authorities advise me that policing services in all areas continue to be provided as required through the revised structures,” in a written answer.
“In addition, the centralisation of services will facilitate the introduction of enhanced patrolling systems that will be operational and intelligence led,” she said.
“The closure of 139 Garda Stations has resulted in an estimated total saving to the state of €556,000 per annum. However, as I have stated, the key objective involved when closing Garda stations was to promote the more efficient and effective deployment of resources rather than to secure modest cash savings,” she said.
The first 20 stations were closed under a reorganisation plan announced in 2011 by then Minister for Justice Alan Shatter.
Combined with the subsequent closure of over 100 stations announced in December 2012 the Garda District and Station Rationalisation Programme represented the biggest restructuring in the history of An Garda Síochána.
The programme provoked criticism from Opposition parties and deepened Mr Shatter’s unpopularity with garda representative groups at the time.