Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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Question 263: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of additional officers assigned to the Garda air support and Garda mounted units; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34142/08]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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I am informed by the Garda Commissioner that the personnel strength of the Garda Air Support and the Garda Mounted Unit at the 30 September 2008, the latest date for which figures are readily available, was 19 and 15 respectively. A competition is presently underway to fill three vacancies at Garda rank within the Garda Air Support Unit.

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 Units 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.