Written answers

Wednesday, 11 October 2006

Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform

Garda Deployment

9:00 pm

Jerry Cowley (Mayo, Independent)
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Question 108: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of gardaí who have been deployed in north Mayo in relation to the Ballinaboy Shell facility and are still being deployed; the locations where these gardaí have come from and the divisions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32231/06]

Photo of Michael McDowellMichael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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I have been informed that a total of 114 Gardaí (all ranks) were moved on Temporary Transfer to Belmullet Garda Station on 2 October, 2006. I have also been informed that 45 Gardaí (all ranks) returned to their permanent Stations in the Dublin Metropolitan Region with effect from 5 October, 2006.

Garda Management state that the number of Gardaí (all ranks) deployed from each Division on 2 October, 2006, and those who returned to stations in the Dublin Metropolitan Region from 5 October, 2006, was as set out in the table hereunder:

DivisionNo. DeployedReturned 5/10/2006
D.M.R.S.C88
D.M.R.N.C88
D.M.R.N55
D.M.R.E88
D.M.R.S66
D.M.R.W66
D.M.R. Traffic44
Cork City8
Cork North5
Kerry5
Limerick6
Donegal5
Cavan/Monaghan10
Sligo/Leitrim7
Longford/Westmeath6
Louth/Meath6
Carlow/Kildare5
Laois/Offaly6

It is the responsibility of Garda management to allocate personnel to and within Divisions on a priority basis in accordance with the requirements of different areas. These personnel allocations are determined by a number of factors including demographics, crime trends, administrative functions and other operational policing needs. Garda management state that such allocations are continually monitored and reviewed along with overall policing arrangements and operational strategy. This ensures that optimum use is made of Garda resources, and that the best possible service is provided to the public.

I should add that the current recruitment drive to increase the strength of the Garda Síochána to 14,000 members, in line with the commitment in the 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 this year. The first three groups of newly attested Gardaí under this accelerated recruitment programme came on stream in March, June and September of this year and the fourth such group will become fully attested members of the Force later this year.

Further tranches of approximately 275 newly attested Gardaí will follow every 90 days thereafter until the programme is complete. The Garda Commissioner will now be drawing up plans on how best to distribute and manage these additional resources.

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