Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 7 Mar 2002

Vol. 550 No. 2

Written Answers. - Garda Strength.

David Stanton

Question:

494 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he is satisfied that the gardaí in Cobh, County Cork have sufficient resources to deal with crime in view of recent comments in a case (details supplied), that there is more crime in Cobh than in Cork city; the action he plans to take as a result; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7766/02]

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

The Garda authorities are responsible for the detailed allocation of resources to individual areas. They have informed me that Cobh Garda station is a district headquarters in the north Cork division. The personnel strength of all ranks at the station, as at 1 January for the years 1998 to 2002, inclusive, and currently, is as follows:

Year	Strength
1998	23
1999	26
2000	29
2001	29
2002	30
up to and including 4 March 2002	30

The above figures represent an increase of 30.43% since 1 January 1998. Resources are augmented from within the division on an ongoing basis, particularly at weekends.

The Garda authorities state that Garda manpower assigned to Cobh, together with overall policing arrangements and administrative operational strategy, are continually monitored and reviewed to ensure that optimum use is made of Garda resources and the best possible Garda service is maintained.

I have also been informed that Garda management will continue to appraise the policing and administrative strategy employed locally with a view to ensuring that an effective Garda service is maintained. When additional personnel becomes available the needs of Cobh will be considered within the overall context of the needs of all Garda stations.