Joe Flaherty (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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193. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if she will confirm an opening day for the extension to Longford Garda station. [8666/22]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy will be aware, the Garda Commissioner is by law responsible for the management and control of An Garda Síochána and for the effective and efficient use of Garda resources, including all Garda stations. Further, the Office of Public Works (OPW) has responsibility for the provision and maintenance of Garda accommodation. Works in relation to Garda accommodation are therefore progressed by the Garda authorities working in close cooperation with the OPW.

I am informed by the Garda authorities that the works in Longford Garda Station are ongoing and it is anticipated that these works will be completed shortly. I am further informed that an opening day will be considered when the works are completed.

Joe Flaherty (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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194. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of gardaí who were on restricted duty when the figures were last compiled in June 2021; and the number of officers assigned to County Longford at that time. [8667/22]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy will be aware, in accordance with the Garda Síochána Act 2005, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána, which includes decisions on the deployment of personnel among the various Garda Divisions. As Minister, I have no direct role in these matters.

I am assured, however, that Garda management keeps this distribution of resources under continual review in the context of policing priorities and crime trends, to ensure their optimum use. I understand that it is a matter for the Divisional Chief Superintendent to determine the optimum distribution of duties among the personnel available to them, having regard to the profile of each area within the Division and its specific needs.

I am advised by the Garda authorities that the number of members on restricted/light duties are collated on a quarterly basis. In the period April 2021 to June 2021 there were a total of 616 Garda members recorded as being on restricted/light duties during that quarter. Of this total figure, 6 members were based in Co. Longford.

For the Deputy's information, the table at the following link, which has been provided to me by the Garda authorities, sets out the number of Gardaí assigned to the Roscommon/Longford Division at 30 June 2021.

">Gardaí Assigned