Garda Strength.

Wednesday, 23 November 2005

Questions (49)

Billy Timmins

Question:

83 Mr. Timmins asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the ratio of gardaí per head of population in each Garda district; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35569/05]

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Written answers

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. McDowell)

I have been informed by the Garda authorities, which are responsible for the detailed allocation of resources, including personnel, that the personnel strength of each Garda district as at 18 November 2005 is as set out in the following table. Corresponding population figures sourced from the CSO 2002 census of population are also included.

District	Pop.	Strength
Abbeyleix	18,791	39
Anglesea Street	36,657	293
Ashbourne	37,838	65
Askeaton	22,423	41
Athlone	36,375	63
Bailieboro	27,152	55
Balbriggan	38,448	57
Ballina	27,574	52
Ballinasloe	23,942	54
Ballyconnell	12,780	45
Ballymote	12,134	32
Ballyshannon	22,204	95
Baltinglass	31,484	54
Bandon	32,344	54
Bantry	19,519	87
Belmullet	9,136	27
Birr	21,975	45
Blackrock	83,499	185
Blanchardstown	106,099	318
Boyle	12,512	37
Bray	68,658	183
Bridewell	23,033	174
Bruff	22,017	40
Buncrana	28,664	80
Caherciveen	18,757	41
Cahir	18,512	45
Carlow	47,590	84
Carrick-on-Shannon	14,692	48
Carrickmacross	24,855	75
Castlebar	26,040	65
Castlerea	14,007	42
Cavan	24,386	70
Claremorris	18,932	41
Clifden	10,162	30
Clonakilty	25,578	43
Clondalkin	68,190	190
Clonmel	38,614	64
Cobh	35,247	53
Coolock	110,594	206
Crumlin	59,513	157
Donnybrook	42,262	181
Drogheda	52,078	109
Dún Laoghaire	72,169	199
Dundalk	477,793	144
Dungarvan	23,675	48
Ennis	50,237	163
Enniscorthy	30,758	46
Ennistymon	17,017	32
Fermoy	27,640	71
Fitzgibbon Street	37,626	212
Galway	73,277	195
Glenties	19,925	47
Gorey	38,068	78
Gort	13,669	32
Granard	17,725	42
Gurranabraher	49,798	90
Henry Street	68,110	254
Kanturk	21,851	40
Kells	22,637	44
Kevin Street	42,505	210
Kildare	54,278	72
Kilkenny	42,545	74
Killaloe	18,018	35
Killarney	40,130	72
Kilrush	14,420	37
Letterkenny	44,736	155
Listowel	26,670	48
Longford	20,669	55
Loughrea	18,547	46
Lucan	69,292	187
Macroom	22,967	38
Mallow	28,774	57
Manorhamilton	10,711	53
Mayfield	36,507	102
Midleton	33,222	64
Milford	22,046	48
Monaghan	27,036	124
Mullingar	36,436	88
Naas	69,110	121
Navan	52,886	66
Nenagh	21,514	41
New Ross	25,063	43
Newcastle West	23,165	46
Pearse Street	17,972	333
Portlaoise	40,289	123
Raheny	86,504	173
Rathmines	55,273	170
Roscommon	18,711	62
Roxboro Road	43,781	104
Salthill	45,775	68
Santry	55,595	244
Sligo	39,013	135
Store Street	12,485	277
Swinford	21,903	38
Tallaght	128,412	250
Templemore	19,356	50
Thomastown	23,378	34
Thurles	24,789	76
Tipperary Town	22,289	38
Togher	86,084	128
Tralee	43,587	105
Tramore	22,769	42
Trim	23,507	41
Tuam	25,077	53
Tullamore	38,717	73
Waterford	60,436	150
Westport	19,691	35
Wexford	40,674	90
Wicklow	32,647	56

I should point out that in relation to divisional headquarters and the population figures, it must be noted that this relates to the resident population only and would not include people who socialise, shop or work in that city centre area.

In relation to Garda resources generally, the accelerated recruitment campaign to reach a record force strength of 14,000, in line with the commitment in An Agreed Programme for Government, is fully on target. This will lead to a combined strength, of both attested gardaí and recruits in training, of 14,000 by the end of 2006. The Garda Commissioner will now be drawing up plans on how best to distribute and manage these additional resources, and in this context the needs of the Garda Síochána will be fully considered.