Written answers
Wednesday, 9 July 2008
Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform
Garda Strength
11:00 pm
Billy Timmins (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Question 322: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the Garda numbers for Garda operational areas (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28264/08]
Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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I have been informed by the Garda Commissioner that the personnel strength of Wicklow, Carlow/Kildare, Waterford/Kilkenny and Longford/Westmeath Garda Divisions on 31 May 2008, the latest date for which figures are readily available was as set out in the table:
| Wicklow | |
| Station | Strength |
| Bray | 104 |
| Enniskerry | 7 |
| Greystones | 41 |
| Newtownmountkennedy | 1 |
| Baltinglass | 32 |
| Blessington | 14 |
| Dunlavin | 1 |
| Hollywood | 1 |
| Donard | 1 |
| Shillelagh | 1 |
| Tinahely | 2 |
| Carnew | 2 |
| Arklow | 31 |
| Wicklow | 49 |
| Ashford | 7 |
| Rathdrum | 3 |
| Avoca | 3 |
| Roundwood | 5 |
| Aughrim | 2 |
| Carlow/Kildare | |
| Station | Strength |
| Naas | 100 |
| Celbridge | 23 |
| Clane | 7 |
| Kill | 3 |
| Maynooth | 17 |
| Ballymore Eustace | 1 |
| Kildare | 29 |
| Robertstown | 4 |
| Kilcullen | 4 |
| Monasterevin | 5 |
| Newbridge | 35 |
| Rathangan | 4 |
| Carbury | 4 |
| Ballytore | 1 |
| Carlow | 71 |
| Leighlinbridge | 1 |
| Ballon | 1 |
| Myshall | 1 |
| Muinebheag | 10 |
| Athy | 19 |
| Castledermot | 2 |
| Hacketstown | 1 |
| Rathyvilly | 1 |
| Tullow | 11 |
| Waterford/Kilkenny | |
| Station | Strength |
| Waterford | 160 |
| Dunmore East | 4 |
| Ferrybank | 4 |
| Passage East | 1 |
| Mooncoin | 2 |
| Glenmore | 1 |
| Kilmacow | 1 |
| Dungarvan | 46 |
| Cappoquin | 2 |
| Tallow | 3 |
| Ballymacarberry | 2 |
| Aglish | 1 |
| Ring | 1 |
| Lismore | 5 |
| Tramore | 36 |
| Kill | 1 |
| Kilmacthomas | 4 |
| Kilmeaden | 2 |
| Portlaw | 3 |
| Rathgormack | 1 |
| Leamybrien | 1 |
| Kilkenny | 89 |
| Freshford | 1 |
| Callan | 5 |
| Castlecomer | 7 |
| Ballyragget | 1 |
| Goresbridge | 1 |
| Thomastown | 31 |
| Bennetsbridge | 1 |
| Graiguenamanagh | 6 |
| Stonyford | 1 |
| Ballyhale | 1 |
| Inistioge | 1 |
| Mullinavat | 1 |
| Borris | 2 |
| Longford/Westmeath | |
| Station | Strength |
| Mullingar | 97 |
| Killucan | 3 |
| Kinnegad | 7 |
| Rochfortbridge | 5 |
| Castletown Geoghegan | 1 |
| Delvin | 4 |
| Athlone | 63 |
| Ballinahown | 1 |
| Ballymore | 1 |
| Glasson | 1 |
| Kilbeggan | 3 |
| Moate | 12 |
| Ballymahon | 5 |
| Longford | 63 |
| Drumlish | 1 |
| Kenagh | 1 |
| Newtowncashel | 1 |
| Ardagh | 1 |
| Lanesboro | 7 |
| Tarmonbarry | 1 |
| Granard | 31 |
| Ballinalee | 1 |
| Edgeworthstown | 5 |
| Smear | 1 |
| Ballynacargy | 2 |
| Castlepollard | 3 |
| Multyfarnham | 1 |
| Rathowen | 1 |
The Deputy will appreciate that, as with any large organisation, on any given day that the personnel strength may fluctuate due, for example, to retirements etc. It is the responsibility of the Garda Commissioner to allocate personnel throughout the Force taking all relevant factors into account.
The Garda Síochána's 2008 Policing Plan, which was laid before both Houses of the Oireachtas, contains the Commissioner's proposals to realign Garda boundaries in a number of areas around the country to make them coterminous with local authority boundaries. This includes the establishment of new Divisions of Wicklow (established on 2 June 2008), Carlow/Kilkenny and Longford/Westmeath. The planned changes will bring about greater efficiencies and effectiveness in facilitating the establishment and functioning of Joint Policing Committees.
Project boards have been established in each Garda Division to develop implementation plans to create and rollout the new Divisional changes. I am advised by the Garda authorities that for logistical reasons, the Divisional changes specified in the 2008 Policing Plan involving Carlow, Kilkenny, Longford and Westmeath are expected to take place simultaneously with a starting date of 1 January next.
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