Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 8 December 2004
24 Mr. Hogan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his views on whether a town the size of Navan, that has doubled in size over the past five years, has the same number of gardaí in 2004 as it had in the 1980s; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32569/04]
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 Navan Garda station as of 6 December 2004 was 47, all ranks.
The Deputy states that Navan Garda station had the same number of gardaí in the 1980s as it has in 2004. While it is true that the strength of Navan Garda station in 1988 and 1989 was 47, the same as in 2004, this was as a result of a gradual increase through that decade, starting from a figure of 39 in 1980. Furthermore, local Garda management advise that during the 1980s a protection post at Tara mines was in existence, in which two gardaí were deployed during each eight hour tour of duty. This represented a demand on resources at that time. This post is no longer in operation.
Garda personnel deployment throughout the country, together with overall policing arrangements and operational strategy, are continually monitored and reviewed. Such monitoring ensures that optimum use is made of Garda resources and that the best possible service is provided to the public. The needs of Navan Garda station will be fully considered within the context of the needs of Garda stations throughout the country during future allocations of probationer gardaí, where possible by way of permanent transfer of members to the division.
As regards Garda resources generally, the Deputy will be aware 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 commitment in An Agreed Programme for Government. This is a key commitment in the programme for Government and its implementation will significantly strengthen the operational capacity of the force. The Garda Commissioner will now draw up plans on how best to distribute and manage these resources.
Clearly, of course, they will be targeted at the areas of greatest need, as 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 and, as such, will have a real impact.
