Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 11 February 2009
210 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of gardaí stationed in Blanchardstown, Dublin 15; and if that is an increase on the same period in 2008. [5128/09]
View answer211 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of community gardaí in Blanchardstown, Dublin 15. [5129/09]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 210 and 211 together.
I have been informed by the Garda Commissioner that the personnel strength of Blanchardstown Garda Station on 31 December 2007 and 31 December 2008, the latest date for which figures are readily available, was 180 and 193 respectively. This represents an increase of 13 members, or 7% in the period in question. While the number of Gardaí attached to the Community Policing Unit in Blanchardstown Garda Station on 31 December 2008 was 24, all Gardaí have responsibility, inter alia, to be involved in Community Policing issues as and when they arise. As with any organisation, on any given day, the strength of Blanchardstown Garda Station may fluctuate due, for example, to retirements, resignations etc. It is the responsibility of the Garda Commissioner to allocate personnel throughout the Force taking everything into account. The situation will be kept under review and when additional personnel next become available the needs of Blanchardstown Garda Station will be fully considered within the overall context of policing requirements throughout the country.
212 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the breakdown of the number of gardaí at each Garda station (details supplied) in Dublin on 31 January 2009 and each of the past five years; and if they are community gardaí, detectives, traffic gardaí or other. [5130/09]
View answerI have been informed by the Garda Commissioner that the personnel strength of Crumlin, Sundrive Road, Kilmainham, Kevin Street, Pearse Street, Irishtown, Ballyfermot, Ronanstown, Terenure, Tallaght, Rathmines and Clondalkin Garda Stations on 31 December 2004 to 31 December 2008, the latest date for which figures are readily available, was as set out in the following table:
|
Station |
31/12/04 |
31/12/05 |
31/12/06 |
31/12/07 |
31/12/08 |
|
Crumlin |
87 |
87 |
98 |
108 |
104 |
|
Sundrive Road |
65 |
65 |
73 |
78 |
81 |
|
Kilmainham |
81 |
81 |
87 |
87 |
87 |
|
Kevin Street |
119 |
122 |
127 |
139 |
151 |
|
Pearse Street |
252 |
253 |
260 |
268 |
275 |
|
Irishtown |
57 |
56 |
54 |
56 |
60 |
|
Ballyfermot |
81 |
80 |
88 |
87 |
95 |
|
Ronanstown |
82 |
88 |
92 |
87 |
85 |
|
Terenure |
91 |
97 |
98 |
101 |
110 |
|
Tallaght |
173 |
167 |
178 |
181 |
193 |
|
Rathmines |
72 |
70 |
76 |
75 |
73 |
|
Clondalkin |
76 |
81 |
92 |
104 |
91 |
I have been further informed by the Garda Commissioner that the number of Community Gardaí attached to these stations on 31 December 2005 to 31 December 2008, the latest date for which figures are readily available, was as set out in the following table:
|
Station |
31/12/05 |
31/12/06 |
31/12/07 |
31/12/08 |
|
Crumlin |
4 |
4 |
5 |
6 |
|
Sundrive Road |
4 |
6 |
6 |
6 |
|
Kilmainham |
5 |
7 |
9 |
13 |
|
Kevin Street |
7 |
7 |
18 |
31 |
|
Pearse Street |
11 |
13 |
33 |
19 |
|
Irishtown |
3 |
2 |
2 |
4 |
|
Ballyfermot |
14 |
9 |
9 |
9 |
|
Ronanstown |
13 |
12 |
12 |
9 |
|
Terenure |
7 |
6 |
6 |
5 |
|
Tallaght |
20 |
22 |
24 |
27 |
|
Rathmines |
3 |
3 |
3 |
3 |
|
Clondalkin |
16 |
11 |
11 |
11 |
Figures for Community Gardaí and the Garda Traffic Corps for 2004 are not readily available. The Deputy will also be aware that for operational and security reasons it is not Garda policy to disclose the number of Gardaí detailed for some specific duties.
The Garda Traffic Corps are assigned on a Divisional basis rather than a station basis. The DMR South, DMR South Central and DMR West patrol the areas referred to by the Deputy. The personnel strength of the DMR South, DMR South Central and DMR West Garda Traffic Corps on 31 December 2005 to 31 December 2008 was as set out in the following table:
|
Division |
31/12/05 |
31/12/06 |
31/12/07 |
31/12/08 |
|
DMR South |
19 |
20 |
22 |
16 |
|
DMR South Central |
17 |
28 |
25 |
22 |
|
DMR West |
18 |
20 |
20 |
20 |
The Deputy will appreciate that, as with any large organisation, on any given day personnel strengths of individual divisions, districts and stations may fluctuate due, for example, to promotions, retirements and transfers.
It is the responsibility of the Garda Commissioner to allocate personnel throughout the Force taking all relevant factors into account. 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 throughout the country.
213 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if community gardaí are on static guard duty at Farmleigh House, Phoenix Park, Dublin; and the number of gardaí on duty at that location. [5131/09]
View answerI am informed by the Garda Commissioner that members of Community Policing Units are not utilised on duties at Farmleigh House. For operational and security reasons it is not Garda policy to disclose the number of Gardaí detailed for specific duties over any specific period of time.
