Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 20 Jun 2000

Vol. 521 No. 4

Written Answers. - Garda Deployment.

Pádraic McCormack

Question:

248 Mr. McCormack asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the total number of Garda personnel allocated to Galway City in 2000; and the numbers allocated to Galway City in each of the years from 1996 to 1999. [17410/00]

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 Galway city is policed by gardaí from the Mill Street and Salthill Garda districts. The Garda strength, all ranks, of these districts from 1996 to 31 May 2000 is set out in the following statistical table.

Date	Mill Street District	Salthill District
31/12/96	148	69
31/12/97	151	65
31/12/98	163	66
31/12/99	165	64
31/05/00	167	65

I am also informed that the Garda strength, all ranks, of Galway Mill Street Garda Station from 1996 to 31 May 2000 is as set out in the following table.

Date	Galway (Mill Street) Station
31/12/96	131
31/12/97	131
31/12/98	144
31/12/99	145
31/05/00	149

I am also informed by the Garda authorities that, in addition to normal transfers, three probationer gardaí were allocated to Galway – Mill Street – station in the period 1 January to 31 May 2000; three were allocated in 1996; three in 1997; two in 1998 and three in 1999. A total of two probationer gardaí were also allocated to Salthill in 1998.

I am further informed that local Garda management is satisfied that the best possible Garda service is being provided in Galway city with the current deployment of resources. The policing situation is, however, kept under continuing review and changes made as necessary. When additional personnel next become available, the needs of Galway city will be fully considered in conjunction with the needs of other cities throughout the country.