Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 170: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will provide a breakdown of Garda numbers, including ranks and assignments, for each town with a population greater than 80,000; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19264/07]

Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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The personnel strength (all ranks) of An Garda Síochána as at 30 June 2007 was 13,363, with also more than a thousand recruits in training. I should explain, however, that Garda Divisional, District or Sub-District boundaries do not correspond or relate to electoral, city or town boundaries and that the detailed information sought is therefore not readily available in the requested format.

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 171: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will provide a breakdown of Garda numbers, including ranks and assignments, for the Blanchardstown area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19265/07]

Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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I have been informed by the Garda authorities that the personnel strength of Blanchardstown Garda Station on 31 December, 1997 and 2 July, 2007 was 89 and 178 (all ranks) respectively. This represents an increase of 89 (100%) in the number of personnel allocated in that period. The breakdown of personnel by rank on 2 July, 2007 was as set out in the following table:

For security and operational reasons details of the specific assignments of members of the Garda Síochána are generally not disclosed. All gardaí in Blanchardstown are assigned to a wide range of duties including Traffic control, Community Policing and Drug Units.

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 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.

The situation will be kept under review and when additional personnel next become available the needs of Blanchardstown Garda Station will be fully considered by the Garda Commissioner within the overall context of the needs of Garda Stations throughout the country.