Tony Gregory (Dublin Central, Independent)
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Question 430: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the details of the recent increases in the number of community gardaí in the north Dublin city Garda districts; and the areas to which these additional gardaí were then deployed. [4720/05]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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The Garda authorities responsible for the detailed allocation of resources, including personnel, inform me that the personnel strength of the Dublin north central division, as at 15 February 2005 was 637 — all ranks. The personnel strength of the Dublin north central division as at 1 January 1998 was 594 — all ranks. This represents an increase of 43 or 7.2% in the number of personnel allocated to the division since that date. There have been no recent increases in the number of community gardaí within the Dublin north central division.

I am pleased that 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 An Agreed Programme for Government commitment 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 draw up plans on how best to distribute and manage these additional resources. The needs of the north Dublin central division 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 envisaged in the programme for Government. The programme identifies particular areas with a significant drugs problem and a high number of public order offences but it will be possible to address other priorities as well, such as the need to 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.