Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 3 Apr 2003

Vol. 564 No. 3

Written Answers - Garda Deployment.

Joe Costello

Question:

217 Mr. Costello asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the staffing levels in the Cabra, Mountjoy, Fitzgibbon Street, Store Street and Bridewell Garda stations in each of the past ten years; and the criterion used for staffing levels in each of the Garda stations. [9294/03]

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

I am informed by the Garda authorities, who are responsible for the detailed allocation of resources, including personnel, that the personnel strength, all ranks, of Cabra, Mountjoy, Fitzgibbon Street, Store Street and Bridewell, Dublin, Garda stations as at 31 December each year for the last six years and this year to date is as set out hereunder:

Cabra	Strength
1997	82
1998	76
1999	80
2000	83
2001	76
2002	76
01/04/2003	70
Mountjoy	Strength
1997	78
1998	84
1999	80
2000	75
2001	77
2002	82
01/04/2003	78
Fitzgibbon Street	Strength
1997	120
1998	118
1999	114
2000	113
2001	112
2002	116
01/04/2003	106
Store Street	Strength
1997	231
1998	227
1999	234
2000	233
2001	228
2002	225
01/04/2003	223

Bridewell	Strength
1997	156
1998	157
1999	167
2000	167
2001	155
2002	157
01/04/2003	153

I am further informed that the information in relation to personnel strengths prior to 1997 is not readily available and can only be obtained by the expenditure of a disproportionate amount of Garda time and resources.

The assistant commissioner, human resource management, in consultation with senior management in the regions and divisions, arranges for the allocation of Garda personnel throughout the State. He is aided in this regard by a model known as the Garda establishment redistribution model, GERM, which is a scientific, rational and pragmatic model. GERM indicates the most effective means of distributing Garda personnel.