Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 5 Dec 2002

Vol. 558 No. 6

Written Answers. - Criminal Prosecutions.

Emmet Stagg

Question:

172 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his views on whether the 33% detection rate in the Carlow-Kildare division, as shown in the 2001 Garda annual report, has anything to do with the fact that there are 591 citizens to each garda in the Carlow-Kildare division compared to a national average of 399 citizens per garda; his views on whether the number of gardaí serving in the Carlow-Kildare division needs to increase by 150 gardaí to enable the provision of proper policing service in the division; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25314/02]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. McDowell)

The personnel strength of the Carlow-Kildare Division as at 31 December each year for the past five years and currently is as set out as follows:

Year	Strength
1997	292
1998	294
1999	307
2000	303
2001	321
03/12/02	326

This represents an increase of 34, or 11.6%, since 31 December 1997.

Population is only one of a number of factors – crime, traffic, policing, etc. – which determine the allocation of Garda strengths to Garda districts in the Garda Establishment Redistribution Model.

Garda personnel and overall policing arrangements for the Carlow-Kildare division are constantly monitored and reviewed. Such monitoring ensures that optimum use is made of resources and the best possible service is provided to the community.

However, the situation will be kept under review and when additional personnel next become available the needs of the Carlow-Kildare division will be fully considered within the context of the overall needs of Garda divisions throughout the country.