Written answers
Wednesday, 6 December 2006
Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform
Garda Deployment
9:00 pm
Damien English (Meath, Fine Gael)
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Question 151: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of gardaí assigned to each station in the Louth Meath Division in 2006, 2002, 1996 and by way of comparison for Naas, Longford, Athlone, and Cavan Garda stations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41835/06]
Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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I have been informed by the Garda authorities, who are responsible for the detailed allocation of resources, including personnel, that the personnel strength (all ranks) of An Garda Síochána increased to a record 13,000 on Thursday, 16 November, 2006, following the attestation of 299 new members. This compares with a total strength of 10,702 (all ranks) as at 30 June, 1997 and represents an increase of 2,298 (or 21.5%) in the personnel strength of the Force during that period. The induction of 280 new Garda recruits to the Garda College on 6 November, 2006 resulted in a combined strength, of both attested Gardaí and recruits in training, of 14,137. The Garda Budget now stands at €1.3 billion, a 13% increase on 2005 and an 85% increase since 1997 in real terms.
I have been further informed by the Garda authorities that the personnel strength (all ranks) of each Garda Station in the Louth/Meath Division as at 4 December, 2006, 31 December, 2002 and 31 December, 1997 was as set out in the table.
| Station | 4/12/06 | 31/12/02 | 31/12/97 |
| Drogheda | 92 | 89 | 82 |
| Castlebellingham | 4 | 4 | 1 |
| Clougherhead | 2 | 3 | 1 |
| Dunleer | 4 | 4 | 2 |
| Laytown | 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Dundalk | 108 | 96 | 90 |
| Carlingford | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Hackballscross | 10 | 14 | 13 |
| Dromad | 7 | 13 | 15 |
| Omeath | 8 | 14 | 11 |
| Louth | 2 | 1 | 2 |
| Blackrock | 5 | 4 | 3 |
| Kells | 37 | 31 | 30 |
| Crossakeel | 0 | 1 | 2 |
| Athboy | 6 | 6 | 4 |
| Oldcastle | 4 | 4 | 3 |
| Nobber | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Trim | 25 | 24 | 25 |
| Kilmessan | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Summerhill | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Longwood | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Enfield | 14 | 16 | 20 |
| Ballivor | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Ashbourne | 49 | 37 | 23 |
| Dunboyne | 14 | 15 | 15 |
| Dunshaughlin | 8 | 11 | 12 |
| Kilcock | 5 | 6 | 6 |
| Balbriggan | 33 | 35 | 31 |
| Skerries | 11 | 10 | 8 |
| Lusk | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Rush | 7 | 4 | 5 |
| Garristown | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Navan | 48 | 47 | 52 |
| Ardee | 10 | 9 | 9 |
| Collon | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Duleek | 3 | 3 | 4 |
| Slane | 3 | 4 | 3 |
| Total | 549 | 532 | 498 |
The personnel strengths (all ranks) of Naas, Longford, Athlone and Cavan Garda Stations as at 4 December, 2006, 31 December, 2002 and 31 December, 1997 was as set out in the table.
| Station | 4/12/06 | 31/12/02 | 31/12/97 |
| Naas | 92 | 78 | 69 |
| Longford | 52 | 40 | 39 |
| Athlone | 55 | 46 | 42 |
| Cavan | 67 | 57 | 42 |
The Garda personnel strengths for 1996 are not readily available.
I should add that it is the responsibility of Garda management to allocate personnel to and within Divisions. These personnel allocations are determined by a number of factors including demographics, crime trends, administrative functions and other operational policing needs. 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.
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