Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 5 Jul 2001

Vol. 540 No. 3

Written Answers. - Garda Deployment.

Seymour Crawford

Ceist:

304 Mr. Crawford asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of gardaí based in the six Border counties; the number there were in each of the past ten years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20711/01]

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 Garda divisions of Donegal, Sligo-Leitrim, Cavan-Monaghan and Louth-Meath police the Border.

The personnel strength of these divisions, all ranks, as at 31 December for the years 1991 to 2000 and currently is as follows:

Year	Donegal	Sligo/Leitrim	Cavan/Monaghan	Louth/Meath
1991	488	268	422	476
1992	489	271	424	485
1993	483	274	420	486
1994	473	265	415	472
1995	451	260	391	470
1996	450	257	386	481
1997	440	257	371	498
1998	450	260	368	537
1999	439	257	376	543
2000	434	265	382	538
4/7/01	430	263	384	535

The figures supplied refer to personnel permanently assigned to these Garda divisions and do not include members temporarily assigned to stations within these divisions during the foot and mouth crisis.

I am further informed that the situation will be kept under review and when additional personnel next become available the needs of the areas in question will be fully considered within the overall context of the needs of Garda divisions throughout the country.