Tim O'Malley (Limerick East, Progressive Democrats)

I thank Deputy Blaney for raising this matter. The Garda Commissioner is responsible for the detailed allocation of Garda resources, including personnel. The Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform has been informed by the Garda authorities that the personnel strength of the Garda Síochána on 31 March 2006 was 12,439. This compares with a total strength of 10,702 on 30 June 1997 and represents an increase of 1,737, or 16.2%, in the personnel strength of the force during that period.

The number of gardaí stationed in the Donegal division in 2002 was 416, in 2003 it was 424, in 2004 it was 412, in 2005 it was 417 and on 31 March 2006 it was 433. The necessity for the large Garda presence in the border counties has significantly diminished since the Good Friday Agreement. However, there has been an increase in numbers in Donegal from 416 in 2002 to 433 on 31 March 2006. The divisional resources are further augmented by a number of Garda national units such as the Garda National Immigration Bureau, the Criminal Assets Bureau and other specialised units.

As part of the accelerated recruitment campaign to facilitate the record expansion of the Garda Síochána to 14,000 members, 1,125 Garda recruits were inducted to the Garda College during 2005. The college will induct a further 1,100 recruits this year and again in 2007 by way of intakes to the Garda College of approximately 275 recruits every quarter. The first incremental increase of gardaí under the current programme of accelerated recruitment took place on 16 March, and an additional 21 gardaí were allocated to the Donegal division in conjunction with this incremental increase.

In response to the disturbing number of road fatalities in the Buncrana district, a Garda traffic corps unit was established in the district on a pilot basis with effect from 20 October 2005. The unit was in addition to the traffic corps personnel already operating in the Donegal division. An evaluation of this pilot programme has concluded and it has been decided that a dedicated traffic corps unit, with increased personnel, will be based in the Inishowen area. This unit will comprise one sergeant and eight gardaí. The visibility provided by the traffic corps unit has also had an influence on the reduction of certain crimes in the area such as burglary and public disorder.

A number of other initiatives have also taken place in the Donegal division. These include targeted co-ordinated patrolling of priority roads and junctions at prime times, high visibility checkpoints, which have resulted in a 25% increase in the detection of drivers under the influence of an intoxicant in 2006 to date, as well as the reconstitution of the Donegal road safety working group comprising representatives of the Garda Síochána, Donegal County Council, the Health Service Executive and the National Roads Authority.

Proposals have been made by the Garda Síochána to Donegal County Council in response to the fatal collision at Lisfannon on 18 February. Targeted education is an integral part of road traffic policing and a number of initiatives have been undertaken, including a local media campaign on traffic safety issues, a road safety programme in all primary and secondary schools in the Inishowen area, a driver improvement course in conjunction with the courts and ongoing liaison with driving instructors and the Institute of Advanced Motorists. In co-operation with Inishowen Rural Development Limited, the Garda is assessing the training needs of drivers in the area.

All Departments and agencies responsible for dealing with road safety related issues are very aware of the urgent necessity of bringing about a steady reduction in the numbers killed and seriously injured on our roads. Government policy in this area is set out in the Government's road safety strategy for the period 2004 to 2006. The strategy sets out an ambitious range of targets, actions and measures to be achieved.

Concern has been expressed about the adequacy of Garda cover on the Inishowen peninsula. Local Garda management states that there are two 24-hour Garda stations in the Inishowen peninsula based at Burnfoot and Buncrana. In addition, there are 24-hour mobile patrols provided by the divisional traffic and detective units. Garda management is examining the establishment of a rural community policing initiative in north Inishowen. The proposed administrative headquarters for this initiative is Carndonagh Garda station. It is anticipated that this initiative would also provide 24-hour cover for the north Inishowen area. I thank Deputy Blaney again for bringing this matter to the attention to the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform.

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