Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 5 Jul 2001

Vol. 540 No. 3

Written Answers. - Garda Deployment.

John V. Farrelly

Ceist:

280 Mr. Farrelly asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of Garda assigned to all of the Garda stations in County Meath; the comparisons for each of the past five years; if he has satisfied himself that there are adequate Garda available in all of these stations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20513/01]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. O'Donoghue): I am informed by the Garda authorities, who are responsible for the detailed allocation of personnel and resources to individual areas, that the County of Meath is policed by the division of Louth-Meath. Five of the seven Garda districts within the Louth-Meath division are wholly or partially responsible for the policing of County Meath.

The number of Garda stations and Garda personnel, all ranks, from each of these districts allocated to the policing of County Meath as at 31 December 1997 to 2000 and currently, is set out below:

Year	Drogheda(1 Station)	Navan(3 Stations)	Balbriggan(1 Station)	Ashbourne(3 Stations)	Kells(5 Stations)	Trim(8 Stations up to July 1998, 6 Stations from that date)
1997	6	59	23		44	81
1998	8	55		59	43	48
1999	8	54		66	46	47
2000	7	53		65	46	48
3/7/01	8	53		63	45	49

*Ashbourne, which was previously in Balbriggan district, was established as a separate district headquarters in July 1998. From that date also, Dunboyne and Dunshaughlin stations, which were previously in Trim district, have been in the Ashbourne district. Local Garda management is satisfied that the arrangements currently in place are adequate to meet the policing needs of the area. The situation will be kept under review and when additional personnel next become available the needs of County Meath will be fully considered within the overall context of the needs of Garda districts throughout the country.