Seamus Healy
Ceist:303 Mr. Healy asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform when he proposes to approve the application for community gardaí for Clonmel. [29148/03]
Written Answers. - Community Gardaí.
I have been informed by the Garda authorities, who are responsible for the detailed allocation of resources, including personnel that local Garda management is very much aware of the community policing and other needs in both the Clonmel district and in the Tipperary division overall. The Clonmel youth diversion project, which was established in April 2001 is a Garda-community partnership initiative designed to address issues of youth criminality and disorder and is an example of a positive response by the gardaí to local needs.
Garda manning levels and personnel deployment are constantly kept under review by both local Garda management and by the Assistant Commissioner, human resource management. All decisions in relation to the deployment of additional personnel to Clonmel are made as a result of regular reviews and also by taking account of local needs.
I have been further informed that the establishment of a community policing unit at Clonmel is under active consideration at present. However, any decision in relation to the provision of additional resources must be taken with regard to the demands from other areas within the division and the country as a whole.