Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 13 Dec 2001

Vol. 546 No. 5

Written Answers. - Garda Deployment.

Trevor Sargent

Question:

32 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the additional Garda resources which will be allocated in the areas covered by Balbriggan, Swords and Malahide stations as a result of the provisions from the Estimates and budget 2001. [31915/01]

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

I am informed by the Garda authorities, which are responsible for the detailed allocation of resources to individual areas, that the current personnel strength – all ranks – of Balbriggan, Swords and Malahide Garda stations as at 1 December 2001 is as follows: Balbriggan – 32; Swords – 53; and Malahide – 43. Resources are augmented from their respective districts-divisions as required.

I am also informed that the divisional traffic unit regularly patrols the Balbriggan area and that the district drugs unit, the divisional task force and traffic units patrol the Swords and Malahide areas. I am further advised that the situation will be kept under review and when additional personnel next become available the needs of the Balbriggan, Swords and Malahide areas will be fully considered within the overall context of the needs of Garda districts throughout the country.