Closure time of Malahide Garda station

QUESTION

To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will review the early closure time of Malahide Garda station with a view to extending the hours of operation to 24 hours to provide for the safety and protection of the local community; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

REPLY

As the Deputy will appreciate, it is the Garda Commissioner who is primarily responsible for the effective and efficient use of resources available to An Garda Síochána. This includes operational matters such as the opening hours of Garda stations. As Minister, I have no role in relation to that matter.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that that Malahide Garda Station, located in the Coolock District which forms part of DMR North Division, is open from 7am to 9pm daily.
I am advised by the Garda authorities that the strength of the DMR North Division was 705 on the 30 September 2018, the latest date for which figures are readily available. Of these, I am informed that 213 members are assigned to the Coolock District and 27 members are assigned to Malahide Garda Station.  Where appropriate, the work of local Gardaí is also supported by a number of Garda national units such as the National Bureau of Criminal Investigation, the Garda National Economic Crime Bureau and the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau.
I understand from the Garda authorities that the allocation of Garda resources is subject to constant review in light of crime trends and policing needs arising, to ensure optimum use of Garda resources and that the best possible policing service continues to be provided to the public.