Cecilia Keaveney (Donegal North East, Fianna Fail)
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Question 156: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he has satisfied himself that the strength of Garda numbers in the Buncrana district is adequate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3265/05]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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I have been informed by the Garda authorities, who are responsible for the detailed allocation of resources, including personnel, that the current personnel strength of Buncrana district as at the 2 February 2005 is 75 — all ranks. Local Garda management is satisfied that the arrangements currently in place in the Buncrana district are adequate to meet the present policing needs of the area.

As regards Garda resources generally, I am pleased the Government has approved my proposal to increase the strength of the Garda Síochána to 14,000 members on a phased basis, in line with the commitment in An Agreed Programme for Government in this regard. This is a key commitment in the programme for Government, and its implementation will significantly strengthen the operational capacity of the force. The Commissioner will now be drawing up plans on how best to distribute and manage these additional resources. In this context, the needs of the Buncrana district will be fully considered within the context of the needs of Garda divisions throughout the country. The additional resources will be targeted at the areas of greatest need, as is envisaged in the programme for Government. The programme identifies in particular areas with a significant drugs problem and a large number of public order offences, but it will be possible to address other priorities as well, such as the need to very significantly increase the number of gardaí allocated to traffic duties as part of the new Garda traffic corps. I have already promised that the additional gardaí will not be put on administrative duties. They will be put directly into frontline, operational, high-visibility policing and will have a real impact.