Written answers

Tuesday, 6 March 2007

Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform

Garda Stations

11:00 pm

Photo of Jim O'KeeffeJim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 198: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will provide the information requested in Parliamentary Question No. 444 of 31 January 2007 in relation to the station party at Castletownbere Garda Station. [8744/07]

Photo of Michael McDowellMichael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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I refer to Parliamentary Question No. 444 which was put down by the Deputy for answer on Wednesday, 31 January, 2007. As the Deputy will be aware, the information required to enable me to respond fully to his question was not available at the time.

I am informed by the Garda authorities, who are responsible for the detailed allocation of resources, including personnel, that the personnel strength of Castletownbere Garda station, which is part of the Cork West Division, as at 29 January 2007 was 2 (all ranks). In addition, I am informed that an additional Garda shall be assigned permanently to Adrigole Garda Station, which also polices the Beara area, this month. I am further informed that the personnel strength (all ranks) of the Cork West Division on 31 December, 1997 and 2006 was 223 and 264, respectively. This represents an increase of 41 (or 18%) in the number of Garda personnel allocated to the Division during that period. In addition, the Cork West Division's resources are further augmented by a number of Garda National Units such as the Garda National Drugs Unit, the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB), other specialised units and the Criminal Assets Bureau (CAB), all of which have had increased resources.

The Deputy should appreciate that, as with any large organisation, on any given day, personnel strengths of individual stations and units may fluctuate due, for example, to promotions, retirements and transfers. I should also add that Garda management state that it is the role of the Divisional Officer to allocate personnel within his/ her Division based on an assessment of the Policing needs of his/ her area of responsibility at any given time. These personnel allocations are determined by a number of factors including demographics, crime trends 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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