Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 18 February 2004
276 Mr. Crowe asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of gardaí who are assigned to the Dunboyne and Ashbourne area of County Meath; their availability per shift, holidays and illness, being taken into account; and the amount of Garda cars, vans and bikes available for policing duties in the area. [5171/04]
View answer277 Mr. Crowe asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of gardaí who are on active patrol duty in the Dunboyne and Ashbourne area of County Meath; the number of Garda vehicles available for patrols; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5172/04]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 276 and 277 together.
I have been informed by the Garda authorities who are responsible for the detailed allocation of resources, including personnel, that the current personnel strength of Dunboyne and Ashbourne Garda stations is as follows:
|
Station |
Strength at 16/02/04 |
|
Dunboyne |
14 |
|
Ashbourne |
36 |
For security and operational reasons, it is not Garda policy to disclose the number of Garda personnel on duty in a particular station at any given time.
Garda management will continue to appraise the policing and administrative strategy employed in Ashbourne district with a view to ensuring an effective Garda service is maintained. The situation will be kept under review and when additional personnel next become available, the needs of Dunboyne and Ashbourne Garda stations will be fully considered within the overall context of the needs of Garda divisions throughout the country.
With regard to the availability of Garda vehicles in the area, I have further been informed that there are 11 vehicles attached to the Ashbourne district, seven of which are in Ashbourne, two in Dunboyne and one each in Dunshaughlin and Kilcock. There are no motorbikes or bikes attached to the Ashbourne District.
