Vol. 546 No. 1
162 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of public order offences committed in an area (details supplied) in County Kildare; the number of gardaí assigned to this area; his views in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31244/01]
I am informed by Garda authorities that statistics are not maintained in such a way that would allow the information requested for the area in question to be readily available and it could only be obtained by the expenditure of a disproportionate amount of Garda time and resources. The Deputy may wish to know that statistics in relation to public order offences are published in the annual reports of the Garda Síochána on a regional and Garda divisional basis and copies of these reports are available in the Oireachtas Library. I am informed by the Garda authorities that the area in question is policed by Clane Garda station. The manpower strength – all ranks – of Clane Garda station as at 1 December 2001, is six gardaí, compared to five on 31 December 1997. I understand that resources are augmented from within the district-division when required, and that the area is also patrolled by the divisional traffic unit and district detective units.
I am also informed that local Garda management is satisfied that the arrangements currently in place in the Clane sub-district are adequate to meet the present policing needs of the area. I am assured by the Garda authorities that the situation will be kept under review and, when additional manpower next becomes available, the needs of the area in question will be fully considered within the overall context of the needs of Garda districts throughout the country.
