Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 13 May 1997

Vol. 479 No. 2

Written Answers. - Garda Deployment.

Mary O'Rourke

Question:

241 Mrs. O'Rourke asked the Minister for Justice if she has replied to the letter she received in December 1996 from Community Alert in Ballymore, County Westmeath; if her attention has been drawn to the fact that there is grave concern and acute disappointment among the community that there has been no improvement in Garda provision and opening hours in spite of a meeting with her over 12 months ago and subsequent meetings with Garda authorities in County Westmeath; the action, if any, she now intends to take to improve rural policing in this area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12533/97]

Minister for Justice (Mrs. Owen)

The Deputy will be aware that I met with representatives from the Ballymore Community Alert Group on 3 April 1996. Following that meeting I brought the concerns expressed by the group about policing in the area to the attention of the Garda authorities who are responsible for the detailed deployment of Garda personnel and resources to individual areas. Their response in the matter was communicated to the Ballymore Community Alert Group in August 1996.

I received another letter from the Ballymore Community Alert Group in December 1996, again raising the possibility of more resources. I again sought a report from the Garda authorities and upon receipt of their report in April I replied to the Community Alert letter. The Garda again stated that they were satisfied that the current Garda strength and policing arrangements in place in the Ballymore area are adequate and that they have no plans at present to allocate additional resources to the area.