Vol. 417 No. 5
28 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Justice if he will make a statement outlining his Department's policy in relation to the allocation of Garda resources, especially in view of the fact that of the 80 gardaí who passed out of Templemore Garda Training Centre in County Tipperary on 26 February, 1992, none have been allocated to the Cork city area.
It is my policy and that of the Garda authorities to allocate all available Garda manpower, including newly trained members who graduate from the Garda College to those areas which are in greatest need of their services. The assignment of gardaí to individual stations is a matter for the Garda authorities who exercise their professional judgment in determining the relative priority manpower needs of the various areas of the Force.
The Garda authorities inform me that the total Garda strength in the Cork East Garda Division on 31 January 1992 was 786. I am also informed that an assistant commissioner is currently compiling a report of his recent review of manpower requirements in Cork city and that the Garda authorities will be guided by this report in determining appropriate manning levels in the city.
