Vol. 537 No. 5
476 Mr. Roche asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will request that the Garda Commissioner provide sufficient additional Garda resources to improve the level of Garda cover in Rathvilly, County Carlow and to ensure that the town can benefit from regular foot patrols in particular over weekends. [16736/01]
I am informed by the Garda authorities, who are responsible for the detailed allocation of personnel and resources to individual areas, that Rathvilly Garda station forms part of the Baltinglass district. The current manpower strength of Rathvilly Garda station is one garda and resources are augmented from within the district.
For operational reasons Baltinglass district is divided into three policing areas. Rathvilly falls within the Tullow policing area which has a total manpower strength of 14 – all ranks.
The garda attached to Rathvilly Garda station carries out regular foot patrols, particularly at night-time during weekends. The opening hours of Rathvilly Garda station are 3 p.m. to 5 p.m., Monday to Saturday. When not open, PACB and call diversion systems are in operation and linked to the district headquarters at Baltinglass.
There are no vehicles attached to Rathvilly Garda station. However, there is a total of seven vehicles attached to the district of Baltinglass, which include three patrol cars, three community police vans and one detective branch vehicle.
I am also informed by the Garda authorities that Garda management is satisfied that the arrangements currently in place are adequate in meeting the present policy requirements of the area. When additional manpower next becomes available the needs of the Baltinglass area will be fully considered within the overall context of the needs of Garda districts throughout the country.
477 Mr. Roche asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will request that the Garda Commissioner provide additional Garda resources in order to ensure that Kilcoole, County Wicklow has full-time Garda cover. [16737/01]
I am informed by the Garda authorities, who are responsible for the detailed allocation of personnel and resources to individual areas, that Kilcoole is policed by Greystones Garda station, which is open on a 24 hour basis, and has a current personnel strength of 27 – all ranks.
Greystones has four vehicles which include one detective branch car, one patrol car, one patrol motorcycle and one community policing van.
Bray, the district headquarters, has a total of 21 vehicles, which is comparable to other districts of similar size and population. Resources are augmented from within the district.
