Willie Penrose (Westmeath, Labour)
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Question 405: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the Garda manning arrangements to cover the Tyrellspass area of County Westmeath; if he has satisfied himself that same is adequate; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that this is an area with an increasing population; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39049/05]

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 Tyrellspass area of County Westmeath is policed by gardaí attached to Rochfortbridge Garda station. The personnel strength of Rochfortbridge Garda station as at 12 December 2005 was three, all ranks. Local Garda management is satisfied the existing available resources attached to Rochfortbridge are adequate to meet the present policing needs of the area.

Resources are augmented from within the division-district as required. The area is also patrolled by the divisional traffic unit and the district detective unit. Garda personnel assigned throughout the State, together with overall policing arrangements and operational strategy, are constantly monitored and reviewed. Such monitoring ensures optimum use is made of Garda resources and the best possible Garda service is provided for the general public.

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. 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 State.

Willie Penrose (Westmeath, Labour)
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Question 406: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of official Garda patrol vehicles that are available to Garda personnel in County Westmeath; the locations where Garda patrol vehicles are based, and those which are primarily based in Athlone and Mullingar; if he has satisfied himself that there are sufficient patrol vehicles available at all times to respond to emergency or alarm calls in areas like Tyrellspass, Rochfortbridge and other areas; if additional patrol vehicles will be allocated to these areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39050/05]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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I have requested the information sought from the Garda Commissioner and will contact the Deputy again when the information is to hand.