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Gnáthamharc

Garda Strength.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 2 November 2004

Tuesday, 2 November 2004

Ceisteanna (349)

Paul Connaughton

Ceist:

422 Mr. Connaughton asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the strength of the permanent Garda force attached to the Garda station in Athenry, County Galway; if there is a holding or security room in Athenry Garda station; if a person apprehended on an offence must be transported to Galway city Garda station; if his attention has been drawn to the growing list of petty crimes committed in the general Athenry district; his views on whether the area is entitled to more gardaí; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26966/04]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I have been informed by the Garda authorities that there is no cell facility at the station. Athenry Garda station is currently undergoing refurbishment and persons arrested are transported to the district headquarters at Mill Street Garda station in Galway city.

In the period October 2003 to September 2004, 31 headline crimes and 50 non-headline crimes have been reported. The corresponding figures for October 2002 to September 2003 are 19 and 59, respectively.

The personnel strength of Athenry Garda station is one sergeant and three gardaí as at 1 November 2004. In addition, resources are augmented from within the district or division as required. Local Garda management are satisfied that the resources currently in place in Athenry are adequate to meet the present policing needs of the area.

Garda management will continue to appraise the policing and administrative strategy employed in Athenry with a view to ensuring that an effective Garda service is maintained. The situation will be kept under review by Garda management and when additional personnel next become available the needs of Athenry will be fully considered within the overall context of the needs of Garda stations throughout the country.

On Garda resources generally, the Government has approved my proposal to increase the strength of the Garda Síochána to 14,000 members on a phased basis, in line with the commitment in this regard in An Agreed Programme for Government commitment. This is a key commitment in the programme for Government, and its implementation will significantly strengthen the operational capacity of the force. The Commissioner will now be drawing up plans on how best to distribute and manage these resources. Clearly, however, the additional resources will be targeted at the areas of greatest need, as is envisaged in the programme for Government. The programme identifies in particular areas with a significant drugs problem and a large number of public order offences, but it will be possible to address other priorities as well, such as the need to significantly increase the number of gardaí allocated to traffic duties. One promise I have already made is that the additional gardaí will not be put on administrative duties. They will be put directly into frontline, operational, high-visibility policing. They will have a real impact.

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