Bernard Allen (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 643: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position regarding the operational hours of Glanmire Garda station in County Cork; and his plans to extend the operational times of the station in view of the rapidly increasing population in the area. [28654/05]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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I have been informed by the Garda authorities, which are responsible for the detailed allocation of resources, including personnel, that the personnel strength of Glanmire Garda station as at 14 October 2005 was 17, all ranks. The personnel strength of Glanmire Garda station as at 1 January 1998 was 14, all ranks. This represents an increase of three, or 21%, in the number of personnel allocated to Glanmire Garda station.

Glanmire Garda station is open to the public from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday to Saturday. It also opens from 12 noon to 1 p.m. on Sundays. A new 24-hour mobile patrol system was introduced at the station in March 2005.

The extension of the opening hours at Glanmire would only serve to confine additional personnel to indoor duties and it is the view of the Garda authorities that such personnel would be deployed more usefully on the beat.

I am informed that local Garda management is satisfied that the current arrangements in place in Glanmire are adequate to meet the current policing needs of the area.

Bernard Allen (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 644: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position regarding the provision of a new Garda station in Glanmire, County Cork. [28658/05]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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As the Deputy is aware there are plans to build a new Garda station in Glanmire and to this end the Office of Public Works has been asked to secure a suitable site. However, as with any new station, construction depends on a number of factors, including the availability of financial and other resources and priorities within the Garda building programme.

I assure the Deputy that the accommodation requirements of the gardaí at Glanmire are recognised and there will be no avoidable delay in addressing them.