John Moloney (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

I thank Deputy Costello for raising this matter and I apologise that the Minister cannot be here.

On 31 December 2009, the personnel strength at Fitzgibbon Garda station was 122 and the strength at Mountjoy Garda station was 107. Fitzgibbon and Mountjoy Garda stations form part of the DMR north central Garda division. On the same date, the strength of the DMR north central Garda division was 719. There are 22 community gardaí attached to Fitzgibbon Street Garda station and 24 attached to Mountjoy Garda station. Four juvenile liaison officers are attached to the DMR north central Garda division.

The allocation of Garda resources, including the distribution of personnel, is a matter for the Garda Commissioner and senior Garda management. They are aided in this by a distribution model which indicates the most effective means of distributing Garda personnel and acts as a guide to Garda management decision-making. It also takes into account different policing variables, including crime trends, socio-economic factors and census information. It is the responsibility of the divisional officer to allocate personnel within each division.

I have been informed by the Garda authorities that, due to its condition, it is necessary to temporarily vacate Fitzgibbon Street Garda station to facilitate refurbishment of the premises. During this period, the Garda personnel allocated to Fitzgibbon Street will operate from Mountjoy Garda station. I have also been assured by the Garda authorities that current policing levels will be maintained and that there will be no diminution of the service being provided to the local community.

I emphasise that the measures I have referred to will be temporary and that they will be discontinued when the necessary refurbishment work at Fitzgibbon Street station has been completed.

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