Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 22 May 1986

Vol. 366 No. 10

Written Answers. - County Cork Garda Strength.

26.

Mr. E. O'Keeffe

asked the Minister for Justice the Garda strength in all districts in County Cork in each of the years 1981 to 1986, inclusive; the number of administrative staff in all districts; and if he is satisfied that there are sufficient gardaí in each district.

Minister for Justice (Mr. Dukes)

Particulars of Garda strength and administrative staff in each Garda district in County Cork on 31 December in each of the years 1983 to 1985 and on 31 March 1986 are given in the form of tabular statements which I propose to circulate in the Official Report. The Garda authorities inform me that the information sought in respect of 1981 and 1982 is not readily available and that its compilation would involve diverting Garda manpower from other more pressing duties.

The Garda authorities report that the current Garda strength in each Garda district in County Cork is considered adequate having regard to overall resources and other demands on Garda services. The needs of these districts will continue to be kept under review.

Table No. 1

Garda Districts in County Cork	Garda strength, all ranks, on 31 December
1983	1984	1985	1986 (31 March)
Bandon	80	81	83	83
Bantry	41	42	41	42
Blarney	45	46	*	*
Clonakilty	41	45	46	46
Cobh	59	58	49*	48
Fermoy	52	54	54	54
Gurranebraher	*	*	77	79
Kanturk	38	41	43	43
Macroom	38	36	35	36
Mallow	50	52	51	52
Mayfield	*	*	121	122
Midleton	61	60	58	58
McCurtain Street	149	159	*	*
Togher	*	*	96	94
Union Quay	382	401	324*	324

*The reorganisation in June 1985 of the Garda district structure in Cork City involved the replacement of the McCurtain Street and Blarney districts by new districts with headquarters at Mayfield and Gurranebraher as well as the establishement of an extra district with headquarters at Togher. The reorganisation also involved the transfer of stations from the Union Quay and Cobh districts to the new Districts.

Table No. 2

Garda Districts in County Cork	Administrative Staff on 31 December (inclusive of civilian clerical staff shown in brackets)
1983	1984	1985	1986 (31 March)
Bandon	6(2)	6(2)	6(2)	6(2)
Bantry	2(1)	2(1)	2(1)	2(1)
Blarney	3(2)	3(2)	*	*
Clonakilty	2	2	2	2
Cobh	5(3)	5(3)	5(3)	5(3)
Fermony	3(2)	3(2)	3(2)	4(3)
Gurranebraher	*	*	5(3)	7(5)
Kanturk	2(1)	2(1)	2(1)	2(1)
Macroom	2(1)	2(1)	2(1)	2(1)
Mallow	4(2)	4(2)	4(2)	4(2)
Mayfield	*	*	12(6)	12(6)
Midleton	2(1)	2(1)	2(1)	4(3)
McCurtain St.	13(8)	13(8)	*	*
Togher	*	*	7(4)	8(5)
Union Quay	59(35)	59(35)	54(31)*	54(31)

*See footnote to Table No. 1.