Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 27 April 2010
255 Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of crimes recorded in the area of Knockcommon and the surrounding townlands in County Meath; the number of gardaí assigned to the area by number of hours each week; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16864/10]
View answerI am informed by the Garda authorities that as of 28 February 2010, the latest date for which figures are readily available, the personnel strength of Meath Garda Division was 312. I am further informed that for security and operational reasons it is Garda policy not to disclose the number of personnel on duty at any specific time. The allocation of policing resources throughout the country, including personnel, together with overall policing arrangements and operational strategy, is a matter for the Garda Commissioner and senior Garda Officers. Such allocations are continually monitored and reviewed, and this ensures that optimum use is made of Garda resources and the best possible Garda service is provided to the general public.
The Garda Síochána Act 2005 makes provision for the compilation and publication of crime statistics by the Central Statistics Office, as the national statistical agency, and the CSO has established a dedicated unit for this purpose. I have requested the CSO to provide statistics directly to the Deputy.
