Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 10 July 2008
794 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of Gardaí attached to Coolock, Raheny, and Howth Garda Stations each year since 2002 and to date in 2008; his plans to increase the number of Garda personnel at each of these stations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29021/08]
View answerI have been informed by the Garda Commissioner that the personnel strength of Coolock, Raheny and Howth Garda Stations on 31 December 2002 to 2007 and on 31 May 2008, the latest date for which figures are readily available, was as set out in the table hereunder:
|
Station |
31/12/02 |
31/12/03 |
31/12/04 |
31/12/05 |
31/12/06 |
31/12/07 |
31/05/08 |
|
Coolock |
84 |
87 |
84 |
88 |
98 |
117 |
118 |
|
Raheny |
64 |
60 |
66 |
59 |
69 |
68 |
69 |
|
Howth |
41 |
42 |
44 |
49 |
42 |
42 |
41 |
The Deputy will appreciate that, as with any large organisation, on any given day, the personnel strength of Garda divisions and stations may fluctuate due, for example, to promotions, retirements and transfers.
Garda personnel assigned 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 the best possible Garda service is provided to the public. It is the responsibility of the Garda Commissioner to allocate personnel throughout the Force taking into account a number of factors including population, crime trends and the policing needs of each individual Division. In that regard, the needs of the Garda Stations referred to by the Deputy will be fully considered by the Commissioner within the overall context of the needs of Garda Stations and Divisions throughout the country.
