Vol. 549 No. 3
363 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of gardaí on foot patrol on a nightly basis in the major population centres throughout the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6634/02]
I am informed by the Garda authorities, which are responsible for the detailed allocation of resources to individual areas, that the personnel strength – all ranks – of An Garda Síochána has increased from 10,818 on 31 January 1996 to 11,773 on 31 January 2002. This represents an increase of 8.5% in the personnel strength of An Garda Síochána during that period.
The Garda authorities add that, for operational reasons, it is not Garda policy to disclose the number of gardaí on duty at a particular location at a given time.
364 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of gardaí on foot patrol on a daily or nightly basis in the various towns throughout north County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6635/02]
I am informed by the Garda authorities, which are responsible for the detailed allocation of resources to individual areas, that Garda stations in the north Kildare area fall within three Garda divisions. Maynooth and Celbridge Garda stations are in the division of Carlow-Kildare, Kilcock Garda station is in the division of Louth-Meath and Leixlip Garda station is in the division of the DMA west. The Garda authorities state that they are satisfied that current personnel strength at these stations is adequate to meet the present policing needs of the area.
I have been further informed by the Garda authorities that when the proposed new Garda station is built in Leixlip, allocation of personnel to that station will be reviewed within the overall context of the needs of Garda districts throughout the country.
The Garda authorities add that, for operational reasons, it is not Garda policy to disclose the number of gardaí on duty at a particular location at a given time.
