asked the Minister for Justice the full number of Ban-Ghardaí in the force; and the number of Ban-Ghardaí on normal police duties other than prison duties.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Ban-Gharda Strength.
6.
At present the total number of women in the force is 34, 5 of whom are Ban-Sháirsintí and 29 are Ban-Ghardaí. An additional 4 Ban-Ghardaí are due to be appointed in January, 1977.
All the Ban-Ghardaí are employed on police duties which include prison duties. On security grounds I must decline to indicate how many Ban-Ghardaí are on duty in the prisons.
Can the Minister say whether all the Ban-Ghardaí or practically all of them in the Force at present are involved in prison duties and because of this Ban-Ghardaí are not available for police duties? If this is so, would the Minister consider approving more Ban-Ghardaí other than the four he has just mentioned?
It is not correct to say that practically all the Ban-Ghardaí are employed on prison duties and so the other matters do not arise.
Could the Minister say if the greater proportion of Ban-Ghardaí are involved in prison duties?
That is not so.