Bernard J. Durkan
Ceist:586 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will consider extra Garda patrols in the Robertstown area of County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25180/03]
Written Answers. - Garda Deployment.
I have been informed by the Garda authorities, who are responsible for the detailed allocation of resources, including personnel, that there is currently one sergeant and one garda attached to Robertstown Garda station. One member retired on 20/06/03 and has not been replaced to date. A suitable replacement has been identified and it is expected that the vacancy will be filled within the next few weeks. I have also been informed that there is one patrol car based at Robertstown Garda station and that Robertstown Garda station is open to the public from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m, and from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. When the station is not manned the member on duty patrols the sub-district using the official vehicle allocated. This vehicle is also used by the member on duty at Carbury Garda station. These members assist each other and both sub-districts are patrolled with the patrol car. As a result the Robertstown sub-district is patrolled daily and on a regular basis. In addition to the patrolling carried out by the Robertstown patrol car, the detective branch cars attached to Kildare and Newbridge also regularly patrol the Robertstown sub-district. The traffic unit at Naas also patrol the sub-district regularly and the members attached to same perform speed checks and high visibility checks in the Robertstown sub-district on a regular basis.