Vol. 567 No. 2
240 Mr. Connaughton asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of gardaí assigned to the Athenry Garda station, County Galway; the total number of people served by this station; if his attention has been drawn to the gross understaffing levels at Athenry Garda station; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13896/03]
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 Athenry garda station as at 16 May 2003 is four. The area is also patrolled by the district detective unit and divisional traffic unit on a regular basis and resources for the Athenry area are augmented from within the district-division as required. Community alert and Neighbourhood Watch schemes are in operation in the area.
Local Garda management is satisfied that the arrangements currently in place in Athenry are adequate to meet the present policing needs of the area. It is not possible to provide a population figure for the area served by Athenry as Garda districts do not correspond to district electoral divisions. The situation will be kept under review and when additional personnel next become available, the needs of the Athenry area will be fully considered within the overall context of the needs of Garda districts throughout the country.
241 Mr. Costello asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform when he proposes to close 24 Garda stations at night; the locations of the stations that will close; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13949/03]
The optimum use of Garda stations has been considered as part of a major review of the Garda organisation structures under the strategic management initiative, SMI, programme of modernisation. That review is not yet completed. On completion, the review will be submitted for consideration by Government. At the present time there no plans to reduce the opening hours of Garda stations.
