Tony Killeen (Clare, Fianna Fail)

I thank Senator Keaveney for raising this matter and affording us the opportunity to clarify the current position in developing the 24-hour Garda station for north Inishowen both in terms of personnel and the building of the new facility in Carndonagh. Unfortunately, the Minister for Justice Equality and Law Reform is unavailable to take this debate and I am happy to stand in for him.

First, I would like to address the issue of Garda personnel in the north Inishowen area. North Inishowen forms part of the Donegal Garda division. The personnel strength, all ranks, of the Donegal division on 31 December 2002 was 416 and the personnel strength on 31 December 2007 was 476. This represents an increase of 60, or 12.6%, in the number of personnel allocated to the Donegal division since 2002.

Buncrana Garda district covers the north Inishowen area. The personnel strength, all ranks, of the Buncrana Garda district on 31 December 2002 was 77. The personnel strength of the Buncrana district as at 31 December 2007 was 90. This represents an increase of 13, or 14.44%, in the number of personnel allocated to the Buncrana district since 2002. The Buncrana Garda district is made up of the following Garda stations: Buncrana, Burnfoot, Carndonagh, Clonmany, Culdaff, Malin, Moville and Muff.

Buncrana Garda station is open to the public on a 24-hour basis. An extension of the opening hours of the other Garda stations in the Buncrana Garda district would necessitate the employment of additional Garda personnel on indoor administrative duties who may be more effectively employed on outdoor policing duties.

Specifically, in regard to the north Inishowen area, a rural policing initiative was launched there on 21 February 2007 and involves two sergeants and 12 gardaí. It covers the sub-districts of Carndonagh, Clonmany, Malin and Culdaff. The initiative is currently being reviewed to identify ways of enhancing the policing service to the community. The Minister shares the view of the Garda inspectorate, expressed in its most recent report, that community policing is a fundamental policing philosophy and that it is based on strong foundations in Ireland.

Garda personnel assigned throughout the country, together with overall policing arrangements and operational strategy, are continually monitored and reviewed. Such monitoring ensures that optimum use is made of Garda resources and the best possible Garda service is provided to the public.

The next allocation of probation gardaí is scheduled to take place on 14 March 2008. The needs of the Donegal division, which include the north Inishowen area, will be considered by the Commissioner in the allocation within the overall context of the needs of Garda divisions throughout the country.

Carndonagh is one of the priority locations on the Garda Síochána's building programme and it is intended to build a new Garda station there. A site has been identified and the Office of Public Works, which has responsibility for the construction and maintenance of Garda accommodation, is in the process of acquiring it. Once this is done, the OPW and the Garda authorities will bring forward the necessary detailed planning for the new station.

The Government and the Minister are determined to ensure that the Garda Síochána is provided with the necessary personnel and equipment to undertake its role effectively and efficiently. We are committed to providing the force with the financial and other resources it needs. This year the Garda budget stands at over €1.6 billion. This is an unprecedented investment in policing, representing an 11% increase on the Garda budget for 2007.

In general, there is a significant ongoing programme for the replacement and refurbishment of Garda premises around the country. A sum of €260 million is assigned in the national development plan for Garda stations and other accommodation. In addition to this, a total of €9.5 million is available in the Garda budget this year for maintenance of Garda premises.

The House should also note that the OPW is carrying out a review of a number of rural stations around the country in consultation with the Garda Síochána with a view to putting in place a targeted programme of renewal. The results of this review will feed into a broader Garda accommodation strategy which is being developed at present by the Garda Síochána.