Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 2 Apr 2003

Vol. 564 No. 2

Written Answers - Garda Strength.

Cecilia Keaveney

Question:

205 Cecilia Keaveney asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if the information received on the Internet (details supplied) regarding Parliamentary Question No. 321 of 22 November 2000 contains much of the same information that was sought in Parliamentary Question No. 556 of 25 March 2003 but was considered to be unavailable unless there was an expenditure of a disproportionate amount of Garda time and resources; and if he will make a statement on the validity of the reply to the recent Parliamentary Question. [9042/03]

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

As I informed the Deputy yesterday in answer to Parliamentary Question No. 264 of 1 April 2003, I am satisfied that my reply to Parliamentary Question 556 of 25 March 2003 is an accurate answer. The information contained in the answer to Parliamentary Question No. 321 of 22 November 2000 is only similar to that requested by the Deputy in Parliamentary Question No. 556 of 25 March 2003 in so far as it contains the personnel strength, all ranks, in each operational Garda division in 1980. It does not contain a breakdown of these figures by rank in each division in 1980. Such a breakdown is not readily available and could only be obtained by the expenditure of a disproportionate amount of Garda time and resources.

Cecilia Keaveney

Question:

206 Cecilia Keaveney asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if Garda numbers of all ranks rose in Sligo-Leitrim from 257 to 263, in Cavan-Monaghan from 371 to 379 and in Louth-Meath from 498 to 529 between 1998 and 2003, but for the same period in Donegal fell from 440 to 418, according to the replies to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 797 of 28 January 1998 and 556 of 25 March 2003; and the reason for the decline of the Donegal numbers in view of the rise in the other similar locations, in view of the fact that they are all districts in the Border regions. [9043/03]

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

I have been informed by the Garda authorities, who are responsible for the detailed allocation of personnel and resources to individual areas, that the current strength of Donegal division as at 31 March 2003 is 420, all ranks. Two probationer gardaí were allocated to the Donegal division on 28 March 2003.

Garda personnel levels were maintained at a higher level in the Donegal division for the purpose of policing the border with Northern Ireland when there was increased border activity. Garda management will continue to monitor and appraise the policing and administrative policy employed in Donegal with a view to ensuring that an effective Garda service is maintained.