Written answers

Thursday, 3 November 2005

Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform

Garda Deployment

5:00 pm

Photo of Damien EnglishDamien English (Meath, Fine Gael)
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Question 231: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his plans to increase the number of gardaí stationed at Navan, County Meath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32151/05]

Photo of Damien EnglishDamien English (Meath, Fine Gael)
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Question 232: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his plans to increase the number of gardaí stationed at Kells, County Meath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32152/05]

Photo of Damien EnglishDamien English (Meath, Fine Gael)
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Question 233: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his plans to increase the number of gardaí stationed at Trim, County Meath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32153/05]

Photo of Damien EnglishDamien English (Meath, Fine Gael)
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Question 234: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his plans to increase the number of gardaí stationed at Athboy, County Meath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32154/05]

Photo of Damien EnglishDamien English (Meath, Fine Gael)
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Question 235: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his plans to increase the number of gardaí stationed at Enfield, County Meath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32155/05]

Photo of Michael McDowellMichael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 231 to 235, inclusive, together.

I have been informed by the Garda authorities, who are responsible for the detailed allocation of resources, including personnel, that the personnel strength of the Louth-Meath division as at 1 November 2005 was 526, all ranks. The personnel strength of the Louth-Meath division as at 31 December 1997 was 498, all ranks. This represents an increase of 28, or 5.6%, in the number of personnel allocated to the Louth-Meath division since 1997.

I am further informed that the personnel strength, all ranks, of the Garda stations at Navan, Kells, Trim, Athboy and Enfield as at 1 November 2005 was as set out in the table hereunder:

Station Strength
Navan 46
Kells 32
Trim 23
Athboy6
Enfield 13

I am also advised that it is the responsibility of the divisional officer to allocate personnel within his or her division. Local Garda management states that it is satisfied that the resources currently allocated to the Garda stations referred to by the Deputy are adequate to meet the policing needs of the areas involved.

In respect of Garda resources generally, the accelerated recruitment campaign 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 draw up plans on how best to distribute and manage these additional resources and in this context, the needs of the Louth-Meath division will be fully considered within the overall context of the needs of Garda divisions throughout the country.

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