asked the Minister for Justice the reason there is no Garda car at Woodford Garda station, County Galway, in view of the large number of attacks on old people in this sparsely populated area of County Galway; if it is correct that the gardaí stationed at Woodford are not allowed to work overtime; and if this means that there is no garda on duty to deal with emergencies for much of the time.
Written Answers. - County Galway Garda Station.
843.
Limerick East): The allocation of official transport to individual stations is a matter for the Garda authorities. They have informed me that the current arrangement whereby mobile coverage for the Woodford area is provided by units based at Portumna and Loughrea stations makes the best use of available resources and provides an adequate service.
The deployment of gardaí on overtime is a matter for district officers having regard to available resources and the policing needs of their area at any particular time. I am informed by the Garda authorities that the gardaí at Woodford are deployed on overtime when the district officer considers it essential and that there are adequate arrangements to deal with any urgent calls for Garda assistance in the area.