Vol. 506 No. 2
355 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will deploy separate Garda patrol cars to Clane and Robertstown, County Kildare, to ensure maximum cover in both areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15202/99]
356 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will provide a 24 hour patrol car to operate out of Clane Garda station, County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15203/99]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 355 and 356 together.
The detailed allocation of Garda resources to individual areas is a matter for the Garda authorities. They have advised that Clane is a sub-district of Naas Garda district and that the Clane gardaí share their patrol car with gardaí from Kill Garda station. The strength of Clane is one sergeant and five gardaí while Kill has a strength of one sergeant and two gardaí. The reason that transport is shared between both Garda stations is to maximise resources.
The Garda authorities also advise that Robertstown is a sub-district of Kildare Garda district and that Robertstown gardaí share a Garda vanette with Carbury gardaí. Robertstown has a strength of one sergeant and one garda. Carbury sub-district also has an allocation of one sergeant and one garda. Again, the reason that transport is shared between both Garda stations is to maximise resources.
The Garda authorities have also advised that both Clane and Robertstown Garda stations have a "Greenman" facility connecting them to their respective district headquarters. As stated above, the district headquarters for Clane is Naas and the district headquarters for Robertstown is Kildare. Both district headquarters provide a 24 hour service. When Clane and Robertstown Garda stations are closed, they are connected to their respective district headquarters by the call diversion system.
