I have been informed by the Garda authorities, which are responsible for the detailed allocation of resources, including personnel, that the Tyrellspass area of County Westmeath is policed by gardaí attached to Rochfortbridge Garda station. The personnel strength of Rochfortbridge Garda station as at 12 December 2005 was three, all ranks. Local Garda management is satisfied the existing available resources attached to Rochfortbridge are adequate to meet the present policing needs of the area.
Resources are augmented from within the division-district as required. The area is also patrolled by the divisional traffic unit and the district detective unit. Garda personnel assigned throughout the State, together with overall policing arrangements and operational strategy, are constantly monitored and reviewed. Such monitoring ensures optimum use is made of Garda resources and the best possible Garda service is provided for the general public.
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 draw up plans on how best to distribute and manage these additional resources. In this context, the needs of the Longford-Westmeath division will be fully considered within the overall context of the needs of Garda divisions throughout the State.