Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 6 May 1998

Vol. 490 No. 5

Written Answers. - Garda Deployment.

Brian O'Shea

Question:

269 Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the urgent action, if any, he proposes to take regarding increasing Garda numbers and services in the Waterford and Kilkenny divisions in view of the 18 per cent increase in crime over the last year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10667/98]

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

The detailed allocation of Garda personnel and resources to individual areas is a matter for the Garda authorities. They have informed me that the current personnel strength for the Waterford-Kilkenny Garda Division and for the previous three years is as follows:—

Date	Strength (all ranks)
31/12/1995	291
31/12/1996	297
31/12/1997	307
31/03/1998	311

Since the end of 1995, the personnel strength of Waterford-Kilkenny Garda division has been increased by 20 members or 6.87 per cent.

I understand from the Garda authorities that the situation pertaining to crime in the Waterford-Kilkenny Garda division between 1994 and 1997 is as outlined in the following table:-.

Date	Recorded crimes	Detected Crimes	Detection rate
31/12/1994	2733	1329	49%
31/12/1995	2693	1286	48%
31/12/1996	2774	1354	49%
31/12/1997*	3123	1778	57%

* Figures are provisional

The Garda authorities report that while there has been a rise in reported crime in recent times the crime detection rate has risen substantially. In fact the current detection rate of 57 per cent is 14 per cent above the national average and is currently the highest detection rate of any Garda division in the country.

I am informed by the Garda authorities that they are satisfied that the best possible Garda service is being provided in the Waterford-Kilkenny Garda division with the current deployment of resources. However, they have assured me that the situation will continue to be monitored and reviewed. I further understand from them that each time additional personnel become available for allocation the needs of the Waterford-Kilkenny division will be fully considered in conjunction with the needs of other Garda divisions throughout the country.