Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 22 January 2015
111. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Justice and Equality when a sergeant will be appointed to Mullagh Garda station, County Cavan, as this station needs to have a full complement of gardaí due to the very rapid growth in population in that catchment area over the past number of years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3120/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraOne of the primary functions of the Garda Commissioner under the Garda Síochána Acts, is to direct and control An Garda Síochána. The Garda Commissioner is responsible for the distribution of personnel among the Garda Regions, Divisions, and Districts. Garda management keep this distribution under continuing review in the context of crime trends and policing priorities so as to ensure that the best possible use is made of these resources.
I have been informed by the Garda Commissioner that the personnel strength of Mullagh Garda station on 30 November 2014, the latest date for which figures are readily available was one. Mullagh forms part of the Bailieboro Garda District in the Cavan/Monaghan Garda Division. The personnel strength of Bailieboro Garda District and the Cavan/Monaghan Garda Division on the same date was 62 and 324, respectively. There are also 22 Garda Reserves and 36 civilians attached to the Cavan/Monaghan Division of which three Garda Reserves and six civilians are attached to the Bailieboro District.
As the Deputy will be aware, 100 new recruits entered training at the Garda College in Templemore in September 2014, the first intake of Garda recruits since 2009. This was followed by an intake of a further 100 new recruits in December. A further intake of 100 is due to enter training at the end of this month. This will bring to 300 the number of recruits in the Garda College since last September and is a measure of this Government's commitment to the Garda Síochána. The first intake of recruits will attest as members of An Garda Síochána in May of this year and will be assigned to Garda Stations by the Garda Commissioner. The Garda Commissioner, will of course, continue to keep the needs of the Mullagh Garda station under review within the overall context of the needs of Garda Divisions throughout the country.
