Written answers
Tuesday, 20 April 2010
Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform
Garda Strength
9:00 pm
Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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Question 569: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of gardaí stationed at each garda station in County Louth in 2005 and 2010; his plans to increase the numbers in these locations; the opening hours of each station; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15257/10]
Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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I am informed by the Garda Commissioner that the personnel strength of each Garda station in the Louth Division on 31 December 2005 and 28 February 2010, the latest date for which figures are readily available and the latest information available regarding opening hours for each station, is as set out below.
Station Strengths
| Station | 31/12/2005 | 28/02/2010 |
| Ardee | 10 | 31 |
| Castlebellingham | 4 | 4 |
| Collon | 2 | 7 |
| Louth | 2 | 1 |
| Clougherhead | 1 | 4 |
| Drogheda | 93 | 112 |
| Dunleer | 4 | 4 |
| Blackrock | 5 | 4 |
| Carlingford | 3 | 6 |
| Dromad | 9 | 6 |
| Dundalk | 101 | 120 |
| Hackballscross | 12 | 8 |
| Omeath | 10 | 5 |
| Total | 256 | 312 |
Opening Hours
| Station | Mon - Fri | Sat | Sun |
| Ardee (24 Hour Patrol) | 9.00 - 14.00 & 18.00 - 22.00 | 9.00 - 14.00 | Closed |
| Castlebellingham | 10.00 - 13.00 | 10.00 - 13.00 | 12.00 - 13.00 |
| Collon | 10.00 - 13.00 | 10.00 - 13.00 | 12.00 - 13.00 |
| Louth | 10.00 - 13.00 | 10.00 - 13.00 | 12.00 - 13.00 |
| Clougherhead | 10.00 - 13.00 | 10.00 - 13.00 | 12.00 - 13.00 |
| Drogheda | 24hr | 24hr | 24hr |
| Dunleer | 10.00 - 13.00 | 10.00 - 13.00 | 12.00 - 13.00 |
| Blackrock | 10.00 - 13.00 | 10.00 - 13.00 | 12.00 - 13.00 |
| Carlingford | 10.00 - 13.00 | 10.00 - 13.00 | 12.00 - 13.00 |
| Dromad | 24hr | 24hr | 24hr |
| Dundalk | 24hr | 24hr | 24hr |
| Hackballscross | 17.00 - 20.00 | 17.00 - 20.00 | 17.00 - 20.00 |
| Omeath | 18.00 - 21.00 | 18.00 - 21.00 | 18.00 - 21.00 |
The allocation of policing resources throughout the country, including personnel, together with overall policing arrangements and operational strategy, is a matter for the Garda Commissioner and senior Garda Officers. Such allocations are continually monitored and reviewed and this ensures that optimum use is made of Garda resources and the best possible Garda service is provided to the general public.
Emmet Stagg (Kildare North, Labour)
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Question 570: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will order an independent review of the allocation of gardaí to divisional areas within the State. [15278/10]
Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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At my request, the Garda Síochána Inspectorate carried out an inspection of resource allocation, including personnel, in An Garda Síochána. The Garda Síochána Inspectorate recently published this report entitled, Report of the Garda Síochána Inspectorate - Resource Allocation, the contents of which are currently being examined by the Garda Commissioner and senior management. The report is available in the Inspectorate's web site at www.gsinsp.ie.
The Garda Commissioner, with his senior managers and Divisional Officers, arranges for the allocation of Garda personnel throughout the State. Garda management is aided in this by a distribution model known as the Garda Establishment Redistribution Model (GERM).
I am advised by the Commissioner that this model indicates the most effective means to distribute Garda personnel and acts as a guide to Garda management decision making. It takes into account many different policing variables, including crime trends, socio-economic factors, and census information. The allocation of Garda personnel is determined by these factors and also takes account of the policing requirements of each individual Division.
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