Denis Naughten
Ceist:292 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the garda numbers in each garda division; the corresponding figures for 2002; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29003/03]
Written Answers. - Garda Deployment.
I am pleased to inform the Deputy that as of 1 December 2003 the personnel strength, all ranks, of the Garda Síochána is at an all time high of 12,031.
I have been informed by the Garda authorities, who are responsible for the detailed allocation of resources, including personnel, that the personnel strength, all ranks, of each operational Garda Division as at 31 December 2002 and 27 November 2003 is as set in the table below:
|
Division |
2002 |
27/11/2003 |
|
Carlow/Kildare |
323 |
323 |
|
Cavan/Monaghan |
374 |
377 |
|
Clare |
234 |
245 |
|
Cork City |
616 |
611 |
|
Cork North |
247 |
245 |
|
Cork West |
246 |
242 |
|
D.M.R. East |
546 |
507 |
|
D.M.R. North Central |
594 |
611 |
|
D.M.R. North |
567 |
564 |
|
D.M.R. South Central |
743 |
753 |
|
D.M.R. South |
529 |
517 |
|
D.M.R. West |
631 |
608 |
|
Donegal |
416 |
427 |
|
Galway West |
347 |
342 |
|
Kerry |
266 |
267 |
|
Laois/Offaly |
276 |
273 |
|
Limerick |
460 |
468 |
|
Longford/Westmeath |
240 |
245 |
|
Louth/Meath |
532 |
535 |
|
Mayo |
266 |
274 |
|
Roscommon/Galway East |
251 |
249 |
|
Sligo/Leitrim |
259 |
266 |
|
Tipperary |
314 |
313 |
|
Waterford/Kilkenny |
344 |
348 |
|
Wexford |
310 |
312 |
An additional 161 probationary gardaí were attested to the force on 27 November 2003 and are not included in the above.
It should be noted that the figure for the DMR South Central also includes personnel assigned to command and control. It should also be noted that the figures for each of the DMR divisions do not include gardaí currently assigned to national units and Garda Headquarters.
Denis Naughten
Ceist:293 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of gardaí who have been released to policing duties due to civilianisation over each of the past five years; and his future plans in this area. [29004/03]
There are almost 900 civilian clerical and administrative staff employed as a support to the Garda Síochána.
In November 1997 the Government accepted in principle the recommendations set out in the report of the steering group on the efficiency and effectiveness of the Garda Síochána. That review was conducted in the framework of the strategic management initiative, SMI, across the public service. The report contained a number of recommendations requiring a more comprehensive development of issues relating to the organisation, operations, financing and performance and accountability of the Garda Síochána.
The report recognised the potential for further civilianisation within the force. It stated that the concept behind the introduction of civilianisation was to allow for certain jobs to be done at a more economic cost and to free up gardaí for work more suited to their training and development, while at the same time increasing the operational capacity of the force.
As the Deputy will be aware, in October, 2001 the Government approved the report of the SMI steering group on civilianisation in the Garda Síochána which recommended a programme of civilianisation of 496 technical and administrative posts occupied by gardaí to allow for the release of Garda members to operational policing. These posts are located in Garda Headquarters, in the Garda College and in districts and divisions throughout the country. The civilianisation report also provides for the transfer of finance functions from the Garda district clerks to civilians, and the subsequent upgrading of the new civilian role to staff officer.
A working group, comprising representatives of the Garda Síochána and my Department, is overseeing implementation of the report. It is envisaged that the posts will be civilianised on a phased basis over a number of years. A number of posts have been identified to commence this process and it is envisaged that the remaining posts will thereafter be civilianised on a phased basis. However, in this regard, the Department must remain within Government guidelines as to public service numbers.
Denis Naughten
Ceist:294 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the total garda compliment in each rural garda station in County Roscommon in 1997 and currently; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29005/03]
I have been informed by the Garda authorities who are responsible for the detailed allocation of resources, including personnel, that the personnel strength, all ranks, of each Garda station in the Roscommon-Galway East division as at 31 December 1997 and 27 November, 2003 is as set out in the following table:
|
Station |
1997 |
27/11/2003 |
|
Athleague |
1 |
2 |
|
Ballaghaderreen |
6 |
6 |
|
Ballinlough |
2 |
2 |
|
Ballintubber |
1 |
1 |
|
Ballyfarnan |
2 |
2 |
|
Ballyforan |
1 |
1 |
|
Boyle |
24 |
28 |
|
Castlerea |
24 |
30 |
|
Station |
1997 |
27/11/2003 |
|
Clonark |
1 |
1 |
|
Cootehall |
0 |
1 |
|
Elphin |
3 |
3 |
|
Frenchpark |
1 |
1 |
|
Keadue |
1 |
1 |
|
Knockcroghery |
1 |
1 |
|
Loughglynn |
2 |
1 |
|
Roosky |
3 |
3 |
|
Roscommon |
55 |
50 |
|
Strokestown |
3 |
3 |
|
Tarmonbarry |
1 |
1 |
|
Taughmaconnell |
1 |
1 |
|
Tulsk |
1 |
2 |
It should be noted that although Roosky and Tarmonbarry Garda stations are in County Roscommon they do not form part of the Roscommon-east Galway division.