The allocation of Garda manpower and resources to individual areas is a matter for the Garda authorities. They have informed me that the Dunmore, Glenamaddy and Milltown stations form part of the Tuam District in the Roscommon-Galway East Divison. The present strength at both Dunmore and Glenamaddy stations is one sergeant and two gardaí compared to one sergeant and three gardaí in December last year. Milltown station has a present strength of one sergeant and two gardaí and this has been the strength for the past few years.
I understand that the stations at Dunmore, Glenamaddy and Milltown are open to the public from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Tuesdays, from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, from 12 noon to 1 p.m. on Sunday. Outside these hours the public served by these stations can avail of a direct communication link to the district headquarters at Tuam.
I also understand from the Garda authorities that the official car based at Dunmore patrols all three sub-districts. These patrols are augmented by the district patrol car as required. Moreover, there are two community alert schemes in operation in the Dunmore sub-district, and one in both the Glenamaddy and Milltown sub-districts. These schemes encourage close co-operation between the local gardaí and the people in these areas.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that a total of 28 crimes were reported in the three sub-districts concerned in 1994 and that the indications are that there will be a reduction in the level of crime in those areas this year. While I would never be complacent about any level of crime, I believe this trend suggests that policing in these areas remains effective.
The Garda authorities are satisfied that a good police service is, indeed, being provided to the towns of Dunmore, Glenamaddy and Milltown. They say that consideration will be given to filling the vacancies at Dunmore and Glenamaddy as soon as possible with due regard to the need also to fill other vacancies throughout the Roscommon/Galway East Division.