Vol. 552 No. 2
123 Mr. Rabbitte asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the reason divisional status for the Tallaght Garda division has not been implemented; when the division will be headquartered at Tallaght; when accommodation appropriate to the needs of divisional status will be available; the number of gardaí who were deployed in Tallaght at the end of March 2002; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12189/02]
I am informed by the Garda authorities, who are responsible for the detailed allocation of resources to individual areas, that the personnel strength – all ranks – at Tallaght Garda station as at 31 March 2002 was 156. I am further informed that it is planned to construct an extension to bring Tallaght Garda station up to divisional headquarters status. In this regard, I am advised by the Garda authorities that the Office of Public Works is completing a feasibility study to fully explore the maximum potential of the existing site.
The situation will be kept under review and when additional manpower next becomes available the needs of Tallaght will be fully considered within the overall context of the needs of Garda districts throughout the country.
