Bernard J. Durkan
Ceist:86 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice her proposals for the provision of extra Garda cars and motorcycles in the various Garda districts in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Garda Transport/Cover.
Bernard J. Durkan
Ceist:87 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice her plans, if any, for the augmentation of Garda cover throughout County Kildare, with particular reference to longer opening hours of Garda stations and greater access to them; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 86 and 87 together.
The Garda authorities inform me that there are 28 vehicles allocated to the Carlow/Kildare Garda Division. There is also a further car on temporary assignment to the Division. In addition, a car is assigned to Kilcock station, which forms part of the Louth/Meath Division and a van is assigned to Leixlip, which forms part of the DMA. The Garda authorities propose to assign a Garda van to Monasterevin and to replace a motorcycle at Kill with a Garda van later this year. Transport requirements and needs are continually reviewed and appropriate measures taken in the context of changing circumstances.
With regard to extending the opening hours of Garda stations in Kildare, the Garda inform me that the opening hours of stations are reviewed on an ongoing basis and they are satisfied that the current policing arrangements for Kildare are adequate to meet the needs of the county. They make the point that it would not be in the public interest to extend the opening hours as this would require withdrawing gardaí from operational duties.