Terence Flanagan (Dublin North East, Fine Gael)
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Question 547: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the action he will take regarding a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25939/08]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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I am informed by the Garda Commissioner that the number of Gardaí assigned to Community Policing in both Ronanstown and Lucan Garda Stations at 31 December 2000-2007 and at 31 May 2008, the latest date for which figures are readily available, was as set out in the following table:

While these are the numbers of Gardaí specifically assigned to community policing, it is of course the case that all Gardaí have a role to play in addressing community policing issues. In that sense, community policing involves far more than a single unit within the Garda Síochána, and I agree with the view of the Garda Inspectorate, expressed in its most recent report, that community policing is a fundamental policing philosophy and that there is a strong foundation for it in Ireland. The Deputy will appreciate that, as with any large organisation, on any given day personnel strengths of individual divisions, districts and stations may fluctuate due, for example, to promotions, retirements and transfers.

It is the responsibility of the Garda Commissioner to allocate personnel throughout the Force taking all relevant factors into account. In that regard, the needs of the Garda Stations referred to by the Deputy will be fully considered by the Commissioner within the overall context of the needs of Garda Divisions throughout the country.