Written answers
Wednesday, 12 October 2005
Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform
Garda Strength
9:00 pm
Willie Penrose (Westmeath, Labour)
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Question 369: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of gardaí serving in each of the Westmeath Garda stations and each of the Longford Garda stations for each year since 1997 to date in 2005; the populations served by each Garda station in 1997 and 2005; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28243/05]
Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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The Garda authorities, who are responsible for the detailed allocation of Garda resources, including personnel, have informed me that the personnel strength of each Garda station in the Longford, Westmeath division at the end of each year 1997 to 2004, inclusive, and as at 12 October 2005 was as set out in the accompanying table. Corresponding figures sourced from the 2002 census of population are also included.
| Pop | Station | '97 | '98 | '99 | '00 | '01 | '02 | '03 | '04 | 12/10/05 |
| 19,884 | Athlone | 42 | 47 | 46 | 47 | 49 | 46 | 46 | 47 | 49 |
| 2,573 | Ballinahown | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| 2,097 | Ballinalee | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| 3,059 | Ballymahon | 3 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| 1,805 | Ballymore | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| 2,565 | Ballynacargy | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| 3,318 | Castlepollard | 2 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| 1,643 | Castletown Geoghegan | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| 3,622 | Delvin | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| 2,340 | Drumlish | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| 2,360 | Edgeworthstown | 6 | 6 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 4 |
| 2,853 | Glasson | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| 2,965 | Granard | 22 | 22 | 25 | 26 | 26 | 25 | 24 | 24 | 29 |
| 1,941 | Kenagh | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| 2,433 | Kilbeggan | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| 3,036 | Killucan | 3 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 |
| 3,786 | Kinnegad | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 |
| 2,482 | Lanesboro | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 7 | 6 |
| 10,827 | Longford | 39 | 38 | 36 | 37 | 33 | 40 | 45 | 44 | 45 |
| 3,768 | Moate | 5 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 4 |
| 20,241 | Mullingar | 69 | 71 | 71 | 75 | 73 | 72 | 71 | 72 | 73 |
| 1,834 | Multyfarnham | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| 493 | Newtowncashel | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| 607 | Rathowen | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| 4,108 | Rochfortbridge | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| 2,079 | Smear | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| 1,116 | Tarmonbarry | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
It should be noted that the allocation of Garda personnel is determined by a number of factors including population, crime trends and other operational policing needs of the area.
With regard to Garda resources generally, the accelerated recruitment campaign of 1,100 Garda recruits each year to reach a record force strength of 14,000, in line with the commitment in An Agreed Programme for Government, is fully on target. This will lead to a combined strength, of both attested gardaí and recruits in training, of 14,000 by the end of 2006.
The Garda Commissioner will now draw up plans on how best to distribute and manage these additional resources and in this context, the needs of the Longford, Westmeath division will be fully considered within the overall context of the needs of Garda divisions throughout the country.
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