Garda Boundary Realignment Project - 22/12/08

The Garda Commissioner has announced that the new divisions of Kildare, Galway, Roscommon/Longford and Westmeath will be established in 2009.

Garda Boundary Realignment Project

The Garda Commissioner, Fachtna Murphy has announced that the new divisions of Kildare, Galway, Roscommon/Longford and Westmeath will be established in 2009. These divisions will replace the current divisions of  Carlow/Kildare, Roscommon/Galway East, Galway West and Longford/Westmeath. On the 1 January 2009, the divisions of Galway, Roscommon/Longford and Westmeath will be established. These Divisions will be followed in the 2nd Quarter of 2009 by the establishment of the Waterford, Kilkenny/Carlow and Kildare divisions.

The Policing Plans 2008 and 2009 outline the Garda Commissioner’s intention to make changes to Garda Divisions and a Programme Board is overseeing the process of finalising and implementing these changes. Referring to the restructuring program which aligns the boundaries of ten divisions with those of local authorities, the Commissioner said:

"This is an opportunity to shape the future of policing in these areas. We are bringing the Garda divisions into line with local authority boundaries so we can work more effectively with joint policing committees and work in partnership with communities to deliver an efficient, focused and professional service to everyone."

The Commissioner stressed the importance of ensuring that the community is aware of the changes in the divisions. He referred to various communication initiatives in place in the affected divisions which are designed to keep the public, local business, elected representatives and local authorities aware of the changes to the boundaries in their area. He said:

"This is the second phase of an ambitious but essential project which I am committed to implementing. Local consultation and local involvement are essential to its success. An Garda Síochána is focused on the quality and level of service we can provide to the community. Their needs are our priorities and the new structures will enhance our capacity to respond to their concerns and build strong partnerships within local areas."

NOTE TO EDITORS:

Under the new arrangements neighbouring divisions to the new divisions of Waterford, Kilkenny/Carlow, Kildare, Galway, Roscommon/Longford and Westmeath will also be affected. These divisions have also established project boards and are progressing tasks as required. The complete list of current divisions affected by the boundary realignment in the first half of 2009 is outlined below.

• The Garda Síochána Policing Plans 2008 and 2009 outline the Garda Commissioner’s plans to change Regional and Divisional boundaries to realign Garda geographical areas with local authority boundaries.

• The overall initiativeis managed by a Programme Board which is chaired by an Assistant Commissioner from Garda Headquarters.

• The changes will not impact on every division but in areas where new divisions are being created the local Chief Superintendent has established local projects boards to lead the change. The boards include local district officers, representative associations and civilian staff.

• Areas where project boards have been established include, Kildare, Galway West Waterford/Kilkenny, Carlow/Kildare, Longford/Westmeath, Cavan/Monaghan, Roscommon/Galway East, Sligo/Leitrim and Mayo.

• The communications activities mentioned include:

- public meetings

- residential leaflet drops

- business leaflet drops

- articles in local newspapers

- interviews on local radio

- nominated support personnel appointed in each station

- For more details on each division and local contact persons, please see Garda Website: www.Garda.ie

19:30hrs 22/12/08