Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 17 Nov 1998

Vol. 496 No. 6

Written Answers - Garda Deployment.

Enda Kenny

Question:

375 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the Garda force strength by rank in each station in County Mayo; the overall Garda strength in the county for each of the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23422/98]

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

The Garda authorities are responsible for the detailed deployment of Garda personnel to individual areas. They have informed me that due to time constraints it has not been possible to provide details of personnel strength back to 1993. However, they have provided details of personnel strength from 1995 to date. I propose, therefore, to provide the Deputy with the information on a district basis for the period 1995 to date.

District	31/12/95No. of Gardaí (all ranks)	31/12/96No. of Gardaí (all ranks)	31/12/97No. of Gardaí (all ranks)	31/12/98No. of Gardaí (all ranks)
Ballina	52	51	49	49
Belmullet	20	25	27	25
Castlebar	65	66	66	67
Claremorris	42	40	43	44
Swinford	39	39	41	42
Westport	31	32	32	34

The Garda authorities have expressed concern, and I share that concern, about providing the type of detailed information sought by the Deputy on the grounds of security and in the interest of crime prevention generally. The overall personnel strength of Mayo Garda Division has steadily increased in the recent times, as shown hereunder:—

Date	Strength: (all ranks)
13/11/98	261
31/12/97	258
31/12/96	253
31/12/95	249