asked the Minister for Justice if he will outline the circumstances which justified a reduction in the Garda strength at Dundalk station, County Louth, as returned at 30 April 1982 with the corresponding date in 1981; and if he will give particular attention to extending the instance of foot patrols.
Written Answers. - Dundalk Garda Station
700.
The Garda authorities have expressed regret that the figures which they supplied in relation to Garda strength at Dundalk on 30 April 1981 and 30 April 1982, and which I quoted in my reply to Question No. 907 on 16 June, 1982, were not comparable in that the figure of 57 gardaí quoted in respect of 30 April 1981 included two members who are on long-term sick leave since 1 February 1979 and 23 February 1981, respectively, whereas the figure of 55 quoted in respect of 30 April 1982 did not incude these two members. Accordingly, there was no reduction in Garda strength between the two dates in question.
As regards the question of increasing Garda foot patrols in the Dundalk area, the position is that the precise arrangements made for the allocation of manpower between foot patrols and other duties in any particular area are matters for the Garda officers concerned. The Garda authorities report that in the case of Dundalk the local Garda officers are not in a position to increase the level of foot patrolling at present, having regard to the current strength of the station party and other demands on Garda services in the area, but the matter will be reviewed as soon as extra manpower becomes available for assignment to the centre.