Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 7 Dec 2000

Vol. 527 No. 5

Written Answers. - Garda Strength.

Emmet Stagg

Ceist:

218 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of gardaí in each of the Garda divisions; if he will indicate to the Garda Commissioner that some allowance must be made in allocating additional Garda resources by reference to areas in the eastern part of the country which are experiencing continuing population growth; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29193/00]

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

While I, as Minister, am responsible for providing additional Garda personnel, their detailed allocation to an individual area is a matter for the Garda authorities. I am informed, in this regard, that the Garda personnel strength, all ranks, of each operational Garda division as at 1 November 2000 is as set out hereunder:

Division	1 November 2000
Carlow/Kildare	304
Cavan/Monaghan	383
Clare	237
Cork City	594
Cork North	246
Cork West	238
DMA East	538
DMA North Central	591
DMA North	585
DMA South Central	769
DMA South	499
DMA West	583
Donegal	432
Galway West	335
Kerry	253
Laois/Offaly	277
Limerick	434
Longford/Westmeath	245
Louth/Meath	539
Mayo	257
Roscommon/Galway	251
Sligo/Leitrim	266
Tipperary	314
Waterford/Kilkenny	330
Wexford	295

I am also informed by the Garda authorities that the most recent census figures available are for 1996 but that updated figures will be available next year. I am further informed that four intakes of trainee gardaí totalling 500 are scheduled to be attested to the Garda Síochána in 2001. As each intake of trainee gardaí is attested, the needs of the eastern part of the country will be fully considered within the overall context of the needs of Garda divisions throughout the country.