Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 13 May 2003

Vol. 566 No. 3

Written Answers. - Garda Deployment.

Joe Costello

Ceist:

376 Mr. Costello asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of gardaí on the beat at any given time in each of the five Garda stations in Dublin Central constituency; the criteria used for deployment of gardaí; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12643/03]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. McDowell)

I have been informed by the Garda authorities, who are responsible for the allocation and deployment of Garda personnel, that the Garda stations in the Dublin Central constituency are Cabra, Bridewell, Fitzgibbon Street, Mountjoy and Store Street. The personnel strength, all ranks, of Cabra, Bridewell, Fitzgibbon Sreet, Mountjoy and Store Street as at 8 May 2003 is as follows:

Station	Strength
Cabra	69
Bridewell	155
Fitzgibbon St.	107
Mountjoy	78
Store St.	226

For security and operational reasons it is not Garda policy to disclose the number of Garda personnel on duty in a particular station at any given time. Local Garda management are satisfied that the current personnel levels are adequate to meet the present policing needs of the Dublin Central constituency. The situation will be kept under review and when additional personnel next becomes available the needs of the Garda stations in the Dublin Central constituency will be fully considered within the context of the overall needs of Garda stations throughout the country. Garda deployment is decided by local management based on local issues such as crime trends, business locations and centres of population.