Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 8 December 2004
146 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of gardaí deployed to the various Garda stations throughout County Kildare; the extent to which the number has increased or decreased in the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32734/04]
View answerI have been informed by the Garda authorities, who are responsible for the detailed allocation of resources, including personnel, that the personnel strength of the Carlow-Kildare division as at 7 December 2004 was 324, all ranks. The number of gardaí attached to each Garda station in County Kildare as at 1 December 1999 and as at 1 December 2004 and the percentage change relative to each station between these dates is as set out in the following table.
|
Station |
1/12/1999 |
1/12/2004 |
% Change |
|
Naas |
77 |
79 |
+3% |
|
Celbridge |
14 |
18 |
+28% |
|
Clane |
6 |
6 |
Nil |
|
Maynooth |
14 |
15 |
+7% |
|
Kill |
3 |
3 |
Nil |
|
Kildare |
26 |
26 |
Nil |
|
Newbridge |
29 |
29 |
Nil |
|
Robertstown |
3 |
3 |
Nil |
|
Kilcullen |
3 |
3 |
Nil |
|
Carbury |
2 |
2 |
Nil |
|
Monasterevin |
3 |
3 |
Nil |
|
Rathangan |
2 |
3 |
+50% |
|
Athy |
16 |
15 |
-6% |
|
Castledermot |
2 |
2 |
Nil |
|
Ballytore |
1 |
1 |
Nil |
|
Ballymore Eustace |
1 |
1 |
Nil |
|
Total |
202 |
209 |
+3.46% |
With regard to Garda resources generally, I am pleased that the Government has approved my proposal to increase the strength of the Garda Síochána to 14,000 members on a phased basis, in line with the An Agreed Programme for Government commitment in this regard. This is a key commitment in the programme for Government and its implementation will significantly strengthen the operational capacity of the force. The commissioner will now draw up plans on how best to distribute and manage these additional resources.
Clearly, of course, the additional resources will be targeted at the areas of greatest need, as is envisaged in the programme for Government. The programme identifies, in particular, areas with a significant drugs problem and a large number of public order offences but it will be possible to address other priorities as well, such as the need to significantly increase the number of gardaí allocated to traffic duties as part of the new Garda traffic corps. I have already promised that the additional gardaí will not be put on administrative duties. They will be put directly into frontline, operational, high visibility policing. They will have a real impact.
