Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 3 Oct 2000

Vol. 523 No. 1

Written Answers. - Garda Deployment.

Pat Rabbitte

Ceist:

937 Mr. Rabbitte asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of gardaí attached to the Clondalkin Garda station, Dublin 22, for each of the years 1997, 1998, 1999 and 2000; if any increase in the staffing complement is planned for the near future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20584/00]

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

The Garda authorities who are responsible for the detailed allocation of personnel to individual areas have informed me that the personnel strength, all ranks, of Clondalkin Garda Station as at October 1997, 1998, 1999 and 2000 is as follows:

Year	Strength
1997	56
1998	56
1999	60
2000	61

The figures show an increase since October 1997 of 8.9%

I am informed that the situation will be kept under review. When additional resources next become available, the needs of the Clondalkin area will be fully considered in the overall context of the needs of Garda districts throughout the country.

Jack Wall

Ceist:

938 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of gardaí assigned to special drug units in the Kildare-Carlow division; the plans he has to increase these numbers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20585/00]

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

I am informed by the Garda authorities that the current manpower strength, all ranks, of drug units in the Carlow-Kildare division is eight.

I am informed that local gardaí are satisfied with the number of personnel currently assigned to drug units in the Carlow-Kildare division and there are no plans to increase same.

Jack Wall

Ceist:

939 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of gardaí assigned to the Kildare-Carlow division; the breakdown of the numbers per station; if this number per head of capita is higher or lower than the national average; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20586/00]

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

I have been informed by the Garda authorities who are responsible for the detailed allocation of personnel to individual areas that the current Garda personnel strength for the Carlow-Kildare division is 303, all ranks. The current personnel strength, all ranks, for each district in the division is as follows:

District	Number of Personnel
Naas	113
Kildare	63
Carlow	74
Baltinglass	53

I am also informed by the Garda authorities that using the population figures from the 1996 census, the Garda to population ratio for the Carlow-Kildare division is lower than the national average.