Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 17 February 2015
325. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality her views that there are sufficient Garda resources in Portmarnock, County Dublin, to effectively deal with break-ins in the area (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7085/15]
View answerAs the Deputy will appreciate, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the distribution of resources, including personnel and vehicles, among the Garda Regions, Divisions, and Districts. Garda management keep this distribution under continuing review in the context of crime trends and policing priorities so as to ensure that the best possible use is made of these resources.
I have however been informed by the Garda Commissioner that Malahide Garda Station patrols the Portmarnock area. The personnel strength of Malahide Garda Station on 31 December 2014, the latest date for which figures are readily available, was 30. There are also two Garda Reserves and one civilian attached to the Station. Malahide Garda Station forms part of the Coolock Garda District in the DMR North Garda Division. The personnel strength of the DMR North Garda Division on the same date was 681. There are also 61 Garda Reserves and 42 Civilians attached to the DMR North Garda Division.
Resources are further augmented by a number of Garda National Units such as the Garda National Drugs Unit, the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB), the Criminal Assets Bureau (CAB) and other specialised units all of which provide a comprehensive policing service to the community.
As the Deputy will be aware, 100 new recruits entered training at the Garda College in Templemore in September 2014, the first intake of Garda recruits since 2009. This was followed by an intake of a further 100 new recruits in December and another 100 in the first week of February. This has brought the number of recruits in the Garda College to 300 and is a measure of this Government's commitment to the Garda Síochána. The first intake of recruits will attest as members of An Garda Síochána in May of this year and will be assigned to Garda Stations by the Garda Commissioner. The Garda Commissioner, will of course, continue to keep the needs of Malahide Garda Station under review within the overall context of the needs of Garda Divisions throughout the country.
