Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 29 Jan 1997

Vol. 474 No. 1

Written Answers. - Garda Deployment.

Séamus Hughes

Ceist:

149 Mr. Hughes asked the Minister for Justice when she proposes to appoint a new sergeant to Ballinrobe Garda Station, County Mayo; if she has satisfied herself with the level of Garda manpower to cover the southern part of the country; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2584/97]

Minister for Justice (Mrs. Owen)

The deployment of Garda personnel and resources to individual areas is a matter for the Garda authorities. They have informed me that Ballinrobe garda station is the area headquarters for Kilmaine, Shrule and Cong Stations under the community policing initiative in operation in those areas.

I understand that the administrative area has a current allocation of three sergeants and eight gardaí and that of these one sergeant and five gardaí are stationed at the area headquarters at Ballinrobe. I have also been informed that prior to 17 December 1996, when one of the serving sergeants died, there were two sergeants assigned to Ballinrobe Garda Station.

The Garda authorities have informed me that they are satisfied that the community policing initiative currently in operation in the Ballinrobe area is adequate to meet its policing needs. I am also informed that the question of filling the sergeant vacancy at Ballinrobe Garda Station will be considered in conjunction with similar vacancies throughout the country when members of sergeant rank next become available for allocation.