asked the Minister for Justice the number of extra gardaí who will be available for duty in County Meath under the new proposals recently announced; the stations to which they will be appointed; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - County Meath Garda Numbers.
134.
The overall impact on Garda numbers of the package of measures which I announced recently was indicated in the press statement released at the time— provision is made for the appointment of 250 civilian clerical staff to release gardaí for operational duties, extension from 57 to 60 of the retirement age for members up to the rank of inspector and for recruitment of an extra 50 Garda trainees in 1990. While Garda numbers in the Louth/Meath Garda Division, in common will all divisions, can be expected to benefit from these proposals, I am not in a position to be specific about the precise numbers that may go to each particular place. The Garda authorities will assign the additional manpower as it becomes available to those areas which, in their professional judgment, have the greatest need for an increased Garda presence.