Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 25 Mar 1998

Vol. 489 No. 1

Written Answers. - Garda Deployment.

Pádraic McCormack

Question:

109 Mr. McCormack asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position regarding an application by the Garda Chief Superintendent, Galway, for the appointment of 24 extra gardaí for Galway city; if his attention has been drawn to the serious shortfall in Garda numbers in Galway city in comparison to other cities of similar population; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7561/98]

Pádraic McCormack

Question:

111 Mr. McCormack asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the proposals, if any, he has for the establishment of Garda sub-stations in Galway city to cater for the expanding areas in west Galway, east Galway and Knocknacarra; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7563/98]

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

I propose to take Questions Nos. 109 and 111 together. The Garda authorities are responsible for the detailed deployment of Garda personnel and resources to individual areas. They have informed me that the personnel strength of Galway Garda station for the past four years and to date is as follows:

Date	No. of Gardaí (all ranks)
31/12/1994	134
31/12/1995	126
31/12/1996	131
31/12/1997	131
31/12/1998	132

The Garda authorities have informed me that there are a number of factors to be taken into consideration when allocating additional Garda resources to any division. These include divisional requirements, population ratio, crime ratio, security issues and other matters which contribute to law and order. I am further informed by the Garda authorities that they are satisfied that the best possible Garda service is being provided in Galway with the current deployment of personnel. In fact the crime statistics for the Galway subdistrict for the past four years indicate that there has been a 14 per cent decrease in the number of crimes committed over the past four years.

I understand from the Garda authorities that two sergeants are being assigned to the Galway West division on promotion on 3 April 1998. An additional existing sergeant and three gardaí are also being transferred to the division on the same date. It is further understood that in consequential changes Mill Street Garda station will be assigned one sergeant and four gardaí on 2 and 3 April 1998, respectively.

I have been assured by the Garda authorities that the personnel situation in the Galway West division will continue to be monitored and reviewed. Each time additional personnel become available for allocation the needs of the Galway West division will, of course, be fully considered in conjunction with the needs of other divisions throughout the country. However, the Garda authorities have informed me that at present there are no plans to establish further Garda sub-stations in any area of the Galway district.

Pádraic McCormack

Question:

110 Mr. McCormack asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of gardaí allocated to Galway, Limerick, Waterford and Cork city. [7562/98]

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

The detailed deployment of Garda personnel to individual areas is a matter for the Garda authorities. They have informed me that the Garda strengths of Galway, Limerick, Waterford and Cork city, all ranks, on 28 February 1988 were as follows:

Location	Strength (all ranks)
Galway City
Galway City Statione	132
Waterford City
Waterford City Station	120
Limerick City
Limerick City is policed by Henry Street and Roxboro Road Garda Stations. Mayorstone Park and Mary Street Garda Stations also have responsibility for policing parts of Limerick City.
Henry Street Garda Station	155
Roxboro Road Garda Station	87
Mayorstone Park Garda Station	26
Mary Street Garda Station	14
Cork City
Cork City centre is policed in the main by Anglesea Street, Bridewell and McCurtain Street Garda Stations and also to some extent by Barrack Street Garda Station. Togher and Gurranabraher Garda Stations also have responsibility for policing parts of the Cork City area.
Anglesea Street Garda Station	189
Bridewell Garda Station	29
McCurtain Street Garda Station	29
Barrack Street Garda Station	22
Gurranabraher Garda Station	44
Togher Garda Station	46