Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Councillor Paul Ross in Longford has consistently raised the issue of Edgeworthstown Garda station with me in my office. Today and on several previous occasions he has pointed out that Edgeworthstown is now the second-largest town in County Longford. The population increased between the 2006 and 2011 census by 42% and there was an additional increase of 19% by 2016. The population now is in excess of 2,500. The town is a centre of connectivity because the N4 and N55 essentially meet in the town and it has a busy railway station as well.

There is concern among residents about an increase in the number of burglaries in the Granard district. Obviously, this has come to the attention of residents. They have examined the Garda numbers assigned to the Edgeworthstown station in greater detail. The population in Edgeworthstown has increased significantly and there has been a major shift in the diversity of the population. This has taken an additional toll on resources in the town, as one would expect in a town of such a size.

I submitted several parliamentary questions, in particular, No. 52 of 23 May 2017, No. 278 of 4 July and No. 255 of 1 November. In the last two parliamentary questions I made clear that I was looking for the numbers of active gardaí at Edgeworthstown station. I was advised in the parliamentary questions that 11 gardaí are assigned to Edgeworthstown station. However, closer analysis of the facts suggests this is not the full picture. I have a list before me with some detail. It seems that one of the 11 is currently on long-term sick leave. Another has been transferred to Dublin. Four are assigned to other towns within County Longford. Essentially, currently only 4.5 gardaí are active in Edgeworthstown.

Councillor Ross has pointed out to me that the gardaí are visible and are doing an incredible job under strained resources. A sergeant is in charge and three gardaí are on the beat. We also have one sergeant who is responsible for crime investigation. I understand he is 50% allocated to Granard Garda Station and 50% allocated to Edgeworthstown Garda Station.

My principal concern is that the population has exploded in the town. Closer analysis of the facts indicates that only 4.5 gardaí are on active duty. We have been told a total of 11 gardaí are assigned to the station. That makes a strong statement. If 11 have been assigned but we have seen an explosion in the population, then we need far more gardaí. This co-relates with the facts raised at the recent joint policing committee meeting on the increase in crime.

I have discussed the matter with people and I have checked the numbers. I have a detailed statement on the numbers assigned and why there is a disparity in the figures.

People who have been transferred out of the station, who are on long-term sick leave or working in other towns or who have been assigned to other areas are included in the figures. As a public representative, my job is to respond to concerns raised by residents. Councillor Paul Ross has been putting me under considerable pressure to obtain accurate information on what lies behind the figures. I would be grateful if the Minister set out such detail. I also thank him for coming to the House to respond to this Topical Issue.

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