Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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Question 513: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of gardaí stationed at each Garda station in County Louth; if the number of gardaí stationed in areas of growing population in the county will be increased particularly in Drogheda, Dundalk, Ardee and Dunleer; the rank of each garda and the opening hours of each station; the Garda stations that were closed in the past five years in County Louth; if there are proposals to close existing stations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23542/07]

Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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Question 514: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his plans to improve, renovate or replace Garda stations in County Louth; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23640/07]

Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 513 and 514 together.

I have been informed by the Garda Commissioner that the personnel strength of each Garda Station in the Louth/Meath Division as at the 30 September, 2007, the latest date for which figures are readily available, was as set out in the table.

For security and operational reasons, it is not Garda policy to disclose the rank and duties of personnel on duty at any specific area or over any given period of time.

The opening hours of each Garda Station in Co. Louth are as set out in the table.

Opening hours of non 24 hour Garda Stations are dependent on manpower availability on a daily basis. The extension of opening hours at any Garda Station would necessitate the employment of additional personnel on indoor administrative duties and consequently a loss to outdoor operational policing.

There were no Garda Stations in County Louth closed over the past five years. There is currently no proposal to close existing Garda Stations in County Louth. I am further informed by the Garda Commissioner that plans are currently being developed for a new Area Headquarters at Dromad, Co. Louth; a site has been acquired and temporary accommodation is currently being provided there. In addition, the Garda stations at Hackballscross, Castlebellingham, Dundalk, Carlingford, Dunleer and Blackrock have been sanctioned for maintenance and upgrading works during 2007.

It is the responsibility of the Garda Divisional Officer to allocate personnel within his or her Division taking everything into account. The situation will be kept under review by the Garda Commissioner and when additional personnel next become available the needs of the Louth/Meath Division will be fully considered by him within the overall context of the needs of Garda Divisions throughout the country.