Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 1 Oct 1997

Vol. 480 No. 7

Written Answers. - Garda Deployment.

Michael Ring

Ceist:

111 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of Garda Síochána stationed in Westport, County Mayo for each of the years from 1994 to date in 1997; and if the number will be increased for the remainder of 1997 or for 1998. [15193/97]

Michael Ring

Ceist:

112 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of Garda Síochána stationed in County Mayo for each of the years from 1994 to date in 1997; their location; and if the number will be increased for the remainder of 1997 or for 1998. [15194/97]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. O'Donoghue)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 111 and 112 together.

The detailed deployment of Garda personnel to individual areas is a matter for the Garda authorities. They have expressed concern, and I share that concern, about providing the type of detailed information sought by the Deputy on the grounds of security and in the interests of crime prevention generally. I propose, therefore, to provide the Deputy with the total strength of the Mayo Garda Division for the period 1994 to date in 1997 and the strength of Westport Garda District for the corresponding period.

Year	Mayo Garda Division No. of Gardaí (all ranks)	Westport Garda District No. of Gardaí (all ranks)
31/12/1994	253	33
31/12/1995	249	31
31/12/1996	253	32
31/12/1997	259	32

The Garda authorities have informed me that the personnel requirements of the Mayo Division are reviewed on a regular basis. I understand from them that it is envisaged that with the forthcoming allocation of probationer gardaí on 3 October 1997 two such gardaí will be allocated to the division. They have also assured me that when additional personnel become available for allocation the needs of the Mayo Garda division including, of course, Westport Garda district will be fully considered in conjunction with the needs of other Garda districts and divisions throughout the country.