John Deasy (Waterford, Fine Gael)
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Question 128: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if his attention has been drawn to the shortfall in the number of gardaí that are needed to deal with the ongoing violence which has occurred in Waterford city over the past few months; if he will address this situation by increasing the number of gardaí in Waterford city; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32935/08]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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It is the responsibility of the Garda Commissioner to allocate personnel throughout the Force taking everything into account. In that regard, the needs of the Garda District referred to by the Deputy will be fully considered by the Commissioner within the overall context of the needs of Garda Districts and Divisions throughout the country. I am informed by the Garda Commissioner that as of 31 August 2008, the personnel strength of Waterford / Kilkenny Garda Division and Waterford Garda District was 436 and 176 respectively. I am further informed that the policing and public safety challenge posed by the ongoing incidents referred to has not been encountered previously in Waterford / Kilkenny Garda Division. However during this period, no incident of public disorder, anti-social behaviour or other criminality reported to An Garda Síochána has gone un-investigated by Garda personnel. Additional resources from within the Garda Region were also utilised by local Garda Management in this regard.