Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 11 Feb 1998

Vol. 487 No. 1

Written Answers. - Garda Deployment.

Jack Wall

Question:

121 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of gardaí attached to Athy Garda station, County Kildare; if the number is the statutory number for the station; and, if not, if he will bring the number of gardaí to the statutory number. [3486/98]

Jack Wall

Question:

123 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will provide a 24 hour service at Athy Garda station, Athy, County Kildare, as requested by residents in the area. [3530/98]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. O'Donoghue)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 121 and 123 together.

The detailed deployment of Garda personnel and resources to individual areas is a matter for the Garda authorities. They have informed me that the personnel strength of Athy Garda station for the past three years and to date is as follows:—

	Strength (all ranks)
31/12/1995	17
31/12/1996	15
31/12/1997	17
31/ 1/1998	16

The Garda authorities have informed me that Athy Garda station is open daily from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. and from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. When the station is unmanned I understand that a direct communications system linked to the district headquarters at Carlow comes into operation. In addition all telephone calls to Athy Garda station outside of opening hours are routed to the district headquarters.

The Garda authorities inform me that the members attached to Athy Garda station carry out regular patrols of the sub-district and that these patrols are augmented, as required, by units based at the district headquarters. They further inform me that the policing arrangements in place for Athy are continually monitored. However, they add that there are no plans at present to change the existing policing arrangements.

The Garda authorities have informed me that they are satisfied that the best possible Garda service is being provided in Athy with the current deployment of resources. However, I understand from them that when additional personnel next become available for allocation the needs of the Carlow-Kildare division will be fully considered in conjunction with the needs of other divisions throughout the country.