On 25 January 2013, almost three years ago, a large number of Garda stations were closed around the country and communities were devastated and left vulnerable. Under the programme for Government a commitment was made to introduce a pilot scheme for six Garda stations to be opened. Kildare has the lowest number of gardaí per head of population and we have the second lowest number of Garda stations so we were devastated when we lost the stations in Ballitore and Ballymore Eustace. Can the Taoiseach give an update on this pilot scheme to reopen six Garda stations? On behalf of the people of south Kildare I call for the reopening of the Garda stations in Ballitore and Ballymore Eustace.

Kildare and the counties surrounding greater Dublin are growing very swiftly in terms of population and these are services that are needed. The Government wants to increase Garda strength to 15,000 and, despite the recession of the past number of years, we have been in a position to provide facilities for gardaí to do their job. That is important. I take the Deputy's point but the day-to-day running of the Garda is a matter for the Commissioner. The programme for Government contains that commitment and the Commissioner must now set out the criteria by which the scheme can operate, both for rural and urban stations.

And Stepaside.

Stepaside is okay.

When that process is completed, the Commissioner will provide the criteria for particular stations.