I have been informed by the Garda authorities who are responsible for the detailed allocation of resources, including personnel, that the personnel strength of Carlow-Kildare division as at 27 of September 2004 is 326, all ranks. This compares to a figure of 292 on the 31 of December 1997 and represents an increase of 34, or 11.65%, in the personnel allocated to Carlow-Kildare division since that date. It is the responsibility of the divisional officer to allocate personnel within his or her division. I have been further informed that the personnel strength, all ranks, of each Garda station in County Kildare in the Carlow-Kildare division as at 27 of September 2004 is as set out hereunder:
Station
|
Strength
|
Naas
|
78
|
Clane
|
6
|
Kill
|
3
|
Celbridge
|
19
|
Maynooth
|
15
|
Kildare
|
28
|
Newbridge
|
29
|
Robertstown
|
3
|
Kilcullen
|
3
|
Carbury
|
2
|
Monasterevin
|
2
|
Rathangan
|
3
|
Athy
|
17
|
Castledermot
|
2
|
Ballytore
|
1
|
Ballymore Eustace
|
1
|
Garda management will continue to appraise the policing and administrative strategy employed in the Carlow-Kildare division with a view to ensuring that an effective Garda service is maintained. The situation will be kept under review and when additional personnel next becomes available the needs of Garda stations in County Kildare will be fully considered within the overall context of the needs of Garda stations throughout the country.