Charles Flanagan
Question:345 Deputy Charles Flanagan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if his attention has been drawn to a reduction in the Garda force at a town (details supplied) in County Laois. [24190/07]
View answerWednesday, 17 October 2007
Questions (279)
Written answers
I have been informed by the Garda Commissioner that as of 30 September 2007, the personnel strength of Mountmellick Garda Station was 5. A vacancy has arisen in September 2007 due to a promotion in the Station. The Deputy will appreciate that, as with any large organisation, on any given day, the overall strength of the organisation may fluctuate due, for example, to promotions, retirements, resignations etc. It is the responsibility of the Garda Divisional Officer to allocate personnel within his or her Division taking everything into account.
The situation will be kept under review by the Garda Commissioner and when the next allocation of Probationer Gardaí takes place on the 23rd November 2007, the needs of the Laois/Offaly Division, which includes Mountmellick Garda Station, will be fully considered in this allocation within the overall context of the needs of Garda Stations, throughout the country.