asked the Minister for Justice the total number of gardaí of every rank in the following divisions: Galway, Athenry, Tuam, Castlerea and Ballinasloe in the year 1965; and the corresponding number in 1970.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Garda Strength.
43.
The answer is in the form of a tabular statement which, with your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to have circulated with the Official Report.
Following is the statement:
Strength in Garda Districts in Galway
|
District |
Year |
Rank |
Totals |
||||||
|
C/Supt. |
Supt. |
Inspector |
Det/Sgt. |
Sergt. |
Det/Gda |
Garda |
|||
|
Galway |
1965 |
1 |
1 |
2 |
1 |
12 |
3 |
57 |
77 |
|
1970 |
1 |
1 |
2 |
1 |
15 |
4 |
58 |
82 |
|
|
Athenry* |
1965 |
1 |
6 |
17 |
24 |
||||
|
1970 |
1 |
5 |
6 |
||||||
|
Tuam |
1965 |
1 |
1 |
10 |
1 |
28 |
41 |
||
|
1970 |
1 |
11 |
1 |
27 |
40 |
||||
|
Castlerea |
1965 |
1 |
6 |
20 |
27 |
||||
|
1970 |
1 |
5 |
18 |
24 |
|||||
|
Ballinasloe |
1965 |
1 |
9 |
1 |
24 |
35 |
|||
|
1970 |
1 |
9 |
1 |
24 |
35 |
*Atherny was a district headquarters in 1965 but under a recent general reorganisation was reduced in status.
The strength shown for 1970, therefore, is not the district strength but the strength of the station itself.
44.
asked the Minister for Justice the number of gardaí in the Coolock Garda station, Dublin, at present; and how soon will their number be added to.
The strength of the gardaí at Coolock is 37. It was increased recently by five.
As I have indicated in replies to recent Parliamentary Questions the distribution of the Garda Síochána is being reviewed by the commissioner with the assistance of the garda research and planning unit. The question of increasing the strength at certain centres including Coolock depends on progress in making men available for re-allocation from other areas.
Is the Minister aware that this area has a population of 42,000 plus numerous factories and that when a garda is sent for, say, in the case of a serious assault, it takes over an hour for him to arrive? This is not the fault of the gardaí; they are understaffed. Could the Minister see that this barracks will be further strengthened?
In the present year alone so far seven additional members of the force were allocated to this station. That is a very reasonable effort to meet the situation.
This area has a bigger population than Mullingar or Galway city, and there are something like 75 gardaí in Galway city.
The Deputy would do a great service both to the commissioner and myself if he would point all that out to some of the Deputies behind him who make very strong efforts to avoid the closing of garda stations in rural areas where the population is small and where the crime rate is very low. It has been the commissioner's policy and it is my policy to endeavour to re-allocate members of the force, to the best extent we can, to the centres of population which need them most.
Would the Minister not agree that increasing recruitment would be a more logical step than closing stations?
Would he not further agree that the number in the Garda Síochána is little more now than it was ten years ago despite a dramatic increase in crime, and that this is the key to the problems, not shifting the resources from the country to the city?
We cannot discuss the whole matter of the Garda Síochána on this question.
Would it not be better if the Minister directed his remarks to the Deputies behind him rather than to those on this side of the House?
45.
asked the Minister for Justice if he will give an assurance that there will be no reduction in the number of men attached to (a) Castledermot and (b) Monasterevan Garda stations, County Kildare.
The commissioner informs me that there is no intention at present of reducing the strengths at Castledermot or Monasterevan below the present levels. However, as part of the general review which is now in progress, future police arrangements in these localities will be examined by the research and planning unit of the Garda Síochána. At this stage I can give no indication of the outcome.