Cecilia Keaveney (Donegal North East, Fianna Fail)
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Question 187: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform when a Garda sergeant will be appointed for a station (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37378/05]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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I am informed by the Garda authorities, who are responsible for the detailed allocation of resources, including personnel, that the personnel strength of Malin Garda station as of 29 November 2005 was two gardaí. The allocation of personnel with a division is a matter for the local chief superintendent. I am informed by local Garda management that, at present, the sergeant in charge at Carndonagh Garda station has policing responsibility for the area until a replacement sergeant is allocated to Malin Garda station.

I am further informed that every effort is made to fill vacancies that arise as a result of retirements, promotions etc., in conjunction with the allocation of newly attested gardaí and newly promoted personnel. Garda management also states that the number of Garda personnel assigned throughout the country, together with overall policing arrangements and operational strategy, is continually monitored and reviewed. Such monitoring ensures that optimum use is made of Garda resources, and that the best possible policing service is provided to the general public.

With regard to 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 now be drawing up plans on how best to distribute and manage these additional resources. The needs of the Donegal division will be fully considered within the overall context of the needs of Garda divisions throughout the country.