Vol. 460 No. 5
71 Mr. Aylward asked the Minister for Justice if she will have arrangements made to have the Garda presence in a town (details supplied) in County Kilkenny restored to its 1993 level and retained at this level; and if she will consider a 24 hour Garda presence on a shift basis in this town and its environs. [1651/96]
The Garda authorities are responsible for the detailed allocation of Garda personnel and resources to individual areas. I am informed by them that the current strength of the Garda station in question is 1 sergeant and 3 gardaí, compared to 1 sergeant and 4 gardaí in December 1993. I understand that one garda is due to retire in April this year.
The station is open to the public from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. on weekdays and from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 8 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Sundays. There is a patrol car allocated to the station and it provides regular patrols in the area. When the station is unmanned telephone calls are automatically transferred to Kilkenny Garda Station which is open on a 24 hour basis.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that they are satisfied with the present policing arrangements in place for this particular area and that its policing requirements are being met with the current deployment of personnel.
