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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 22 Jun 1982

Vol. 336 No. 5

Written Answers. - Transfer of Gardaí.

981.

asked the Minister for Justice if he has either ordered, requested or discussed with the Garda Commissioner the transfer of gardaí from areas outside Dublin, particularly Cork, to Dublin, thereby lowering the level of Garda protection in those areas.

Since taking office as Minister for Justice, I have had a number of discussions with the Garda Commissioner about a variety of matters affecting the Garda Síochána, including the overall strength and deployment of the force.

As already announced, I am satisfied that there is need for a substantial increase in Garda strength and I have therefore made arrangements to speed up recruitment and provide the necessary additional accommodation and facilities at the training centre at Templemore.

Pending completion of training of the new recruits already in Templemore and to be brought in during the rest of the year and following a review of the needs of various areas, the Commissioner is arranging for the redeployment of up to 100 existing members to take account of current needs and with a view to making optimum use of available resources.

In redeploying members of the force, it is inevitable that Garda strength will be reduced in some areas in which, in the professional judgment of the Garda authorities, the need for current levels of strength is not as great as in other areas. The precise arrangements made for policing particular areas are, of course, matters for the Garda authorities and I accept their professional judgment in matters of that kind. I am informed by them that no reduction in Garda strength in Cork is proposed. The Deputy can be assured that the Garda needs of all areas will again be reviewed according as the additional manpower now in training and being recruited becomes available for assignment to the various centres.

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