Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 16 Nov 1999

Vol. 510 No. 6

Written Answers. - Garda Recruitment.

Billy Timmins

Question:

359 Mr. Timmins asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if his attention has been drawn to the fact that there is a severe shortage of gardaí in the Baltinglass district, County Wicklow; and the plans, if any, he has to address this difficulty. [23480/99]

Billy Timmins

Question:

360 Mr. Timmins asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if his attention has been drawn to the fact that there is no plain clothes detective in the Baltinglass district and, as a result, it is proving very difficult to follow up on crime investigation in the district. [23481/99]

Billy Timmins

Question:

361 Mr. Timmins asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the plans, if any, he has to replace Garda personnel in the Baltinglass district, County Wicklow, who have been allocated to certain tasks on a full-time basis in view of the fact their unavailability is causing a severe manpower difficulty. [23482/99]

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

I propose to take Questions Nos. 359 to 361, inclusive, together.

The detailed allocation of Garda personnel and resources to individual areas is a matter for the Garda authorities who have informed me that the current personnel strength of Baltinglass Garda district, as of 31110199, is 55 members – all ranks. This figure includes three extra gardaí allocated to the District in the last 18 months.

The recent crime figures pertaining to Baltinglass Garda District are outlined hereunder:

Date	Recorded	Detected	% Detected
1998	48	23	48%
1997	27	11	41%
1996	38	13	34%

It can be seen from these figures that the detection rate is increasing. The Garda authorities also inform me that they are satisfied that the above crime figures do not justify having a full-time detective allocated to Baltinglass – however, when the need arises uniform members can be employed in plain clothes for crime investigation.

The Garda authorities further inform me that they are satisfied with the present policing arrangements in place in Baltinglass and that the present personnel strength is adequate to meet the demands placed upon it. However, I am also assured that the policing situation will be monitored and reviewed with a view to ensuring that a satisfactory policing service is maintained.