Tom Hayes (Tipperary South, Fine Gael)
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Question 195: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform when the Garda sergeant will be replaced in Cappawhite, County Tipperary. [38524/05]

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 Cappawhite Garda station on 6 December 2005 was one garda. I have been advised that local Garda management are satisfied that the subdistrict of Cappawhite is being well policed and that the sergeant on the working unit in Tipperary town provides supervisory assistance and support to the garda in Cappawhite. The subdistrict of Cappawhite is also actively policed by the district detective unit. The divisional traffic unit, which operates within the Tipperary district on a rotational basis, provides extra support in the enforcement of Road Traffic Acts. It is the responsibility of the divisional officer for Tipperary to allocate personnel within the division. I am advised that every effort is made to fill vacancies that arise as a result of retirements and promotions, etc., in conjunction with the allocation of newly attested gardaí and newly promoted personnel. Garda management will continue to appraise the policing and administrative strategy employed in the Tipperary division with a view to ensuring that an effective Garda service is maintained. On general Garda resources, an accelerated recruitment campaign, to reach a record force strength of 14,000 in line with the commitment in An Agreed Programme for Government, is on target. The campaign will lead to a combined strength of attested Gardaí and recruits in training of 14,000 by the end of 2006. The Garda Commissioner is drawing up plans on how best to distribute and manage the additional resources. In this context, the needs of Cappawhite Garda station will be fully considered within the overall context of the needs of Garda stations throughout the country.