Clonmel Garda resources
Deputy Mattie McGrath complained about too few gardaí, too few cars and the state of Clonmel station. The Minister said staffing is over 14,000, a new Clonmel headquarters is due to start later in the year, and 300 new Garda vehicles are being rolled out.
I heard mention earlier of the €1.7 billion in funding for the Garda. Clonmel, County Tipperary, has one of the smallest contingents of gardaí in the country. The contingent is less than half the size of that in Kilkenny. Clonmel is a big town under the guidance of Superintendent Willie Leahy. Extra officers are needed. There is also a severe shortage of cars. I do not know if it is cyclical or whether it is due to the fact that squad cars are only allowed to clock up a certain mileage, but gardaí are being obliged to use their own vehicles or to hire vehicles. This is appalling. The Minister mentioned that there is to be a new fleet but there is something wrong with the way the cars are allocated. The gardaí in Clonmel do not have vehicles at present. It is robbing Peter to pay Paul. The officers in question are working in Dickensian conditions in Clonmel Garda station. Right through Tipperary, there is a shortage of gardaí. They do a good job and I support them. We need them but they require resources. Above all, they need vehicles. I do not know if we are ever going to see a new Garda station in Clonmel.
Comment on this
The Deputy has raised three issues pertaining to his constituency. As far as Clonmel Garda station is concerned, the new Garda headquarters for Clonmel is part of a public-private partnership, PPP, project. I expect that development will be commencing there later in the year.
On Garda numbers, as we have already heard, there are in excess of 14,000 gardaí on the force. I expect to visit the Minister's constituency next week to welcome a further 200 gardaí, many of whom will be sent to stations in Tipperary.
Comment on this
As Members will be aware, I do not direct the Garda Commissioner as to the number of officers deployed to various areas. Places such as Tipperary are constantly under review.
As far as vehicles are concerned, this year 300 new Garda vehicles, some of which will be assigned to Tipperary, are due to be rolled out.
