I propose to take Questions Nos. 125 and 131 to 134, inclusive, together.
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 An Garda Síochána increased to a record 13,000 on Thursday, 16 November, 2006, following the attestation of 299 new members. This compares with a total strength of 10,702 (all ranks) as at 30 June, 1997 and represents an increase of 2,298 (or 21.5%) in the personnel strength of the Force during that period. The induction of 280 new Garda recruits to the Garda College on 6 November, 2006 resulted in a combined strength, of both attested Gardaí and recruits in training, of 14,137. The Garda Budget now stands at €1.3 billion, a 13% increase on 2005 and an 85% increase since 1997 in real terms.
Local Garda Management report that Ballymahon Garda Station has not been downgraded. The personnel strength was augmented in May 2006 with the allocation of an additional Garda member to Ballymahon Garda Station.
I am further informed that the personnel strength (all ranks) of Ballymahon Garda Station as at 12 December, 2006 was 4. The personnel strength (all ranks) of Ballymahon Garda Station (by rank) from 1997 to the latest date for which figures are available was as set out in the following table:
Year
|
Total Strength
|
Sergeant
|
Garda
|
31/12/97
|
3
|
1
|
2
|
31/12/98
|
3
|
1
|
2
|
31/12/99
|
2
|
1
|
1
|
31/12/00
|
3
|
1
|
2
|
31/12/01
|
3
|
1
|
2
|
31/12/02
|
3
|
1
|
2
|
31/12/03
|
3
|
1
|
2
|
31/12/04
|
3
|
1
|
2
|
31/12/05
|
3
|
1
|
2
|
12/12/06
|
4
|
1
|
3
|
Ballymahon Garda Station forms part of the Athlone District. The personnel strength of the Athlone District as at 31st December 1997 and as at 12th December 2006 (all ranks) was 58 and 69 respectively. This represents an increase of 11 (or 18.9%) in the number of Gardaí allocated to the District since that date.
It is the responsibility of the Divisional Officer to allocate personnel within his/her Division. These personnel allocations are determined by a number of factors including demographics, crime trends, administrative functions and other operational policing needs. Such allocations are continually monitored and reviewed along with overall policing arrangements and operational strategy. This ensures that optimum use is made of Garda resources, and that the best possible service is provided to the public.
The normal opening hours of Ballymahon Garda Station are as set out in the following table:
Tour
|
Time
|
Early
|
9am to 5pm
|
Late
|
2pm to 10pm
|
Night
|
6pm to 2am and 8pm to 4am weekends
|
The extension of the opening hours at individual Garda Stations is a matter for the Divisional Officer. Garda management advise that the extension of opening hours at any Garda Station necessitates the employment of additional personnel on indoor administrative duties and consequently a loss to outdoor operational policing.
Local Garda Management report that Ballymahon Garda Station has not been downgraded. The personnel strength was augmented in May 2006 with the allocation of an additional Garda member to Ballymahon Garda Station.
I am further informed that there is one car permanently assigned to Ballymahon Garda Station. Local Garda Management also report that they have introduced a patrol system whereby members from Ballymahon, Ballymore and Glasson provide a service to all three sub-districts with the use of the patrol car from Ballymahon. This system has proved to be very successful and provides a suitable Garda presence for the entire area.
Local Garda Management state that personnel attached to Ballymahon Garda Station are not deployed in Athlone, other than to attend District/Circuit Courts. Resources are augmented from within the District/Division as required. The area is also patrolled by the Divisional Traffic Unit based at Longford Garda Station and the District Detective Unit based at Athlone Garda Station.