Andrew Doyle
Question:173. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the resources available to Garda Stations (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9350/13]
View answerThursday, 21 February 2013
Questions (173)
Written answers
As the Deputy will be aware the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the detailed allocation of resources, including personnel and transport, throughout An Garda Síochána and I have no direct function in the matter.
I have been informed by the Garda Commissioner that the personnel strength of Greystones, Newtownmountkennedy, Wicklow and Arklow Garda Stations on 31 December 2012, the latest date for which all figures are readily available, was as set out in the table hereunder:
|
Station |
Strength |
Reserves |
Civilians |
|
Greystones |
33 |
3 |
1 |
|
Newtownmountkennedy |
4 |
0 |
0 |
|
Wicklow |
48 |
7 |
5 |
|
Arklow |
34 |
8 |
2 |
Responsibility for the efficient deployment of official Garda vehicles in each Division is assigned to the Divisional Officer, who may allocate vehicles between stations, as required by operational circumstances. The Deputy will appreciate that a degree of flexibility in allocating and re-allocating vehicles among stations, so as to best match the allocation of resources with policing priorities, is essential to the efficient management of the Garda fleet. As a consequence it is not practicable to provide a breakdown of Garda vehicles by individual station. However, I am informed that there are currently 47 vehicles allocated to the Wicklow Division. A breakdown of vehicles by District is set out in the following table:
|
District |
Vehicles |
|
Baltinglass |
11 |
|
Bray |
20 |
|
Wicklow |
16 |
|
Total |
47 |
As the Deputy will be aware, I made an additional €3 million available to An Garda Síochána towards the end of last year which enabled the Force to procure a total of 213 vehicles in 2012. In addition, a further allocation of €5 million has been provided for the purchase and fit-out of Garda transport in 2013. This represents a very considerable financial investment in Garda transport, particularly at a time when the level of funding available across the public sector is severely limited. It is a clear indication of my commitment to ensure that, to the greatest extent possible, An Garda Síochána are provided with sufficient resources to enable them to provide an effective and efficient policing service.