Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 242: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the extent to which the number of gardaí in the various stations throughout County Kildare has fluctuated in the past three years; his plans to augment the numbers at each or any of the stations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5282/05]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I have been informed by the Garda authorities responsible for the detailed allocation of resources, including personnel, that the personnel strength — all ranks — of each Garda station in County Kildare as at 1 February 2002 and 1 February 2005, is as set out in the following table:

In respect of 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 Kildare district will be fully considered within the context of the needs of Garda divisions throughout the country. Clearly, 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 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.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 243: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of Garda stations throughout County Kildare that are open all day, everyday; the number that are open on a part-time basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5283/05]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I have been informed by the Garda authorities responsible for the detailed allocation of resources, including personnel, that the number of hours each Garda station in County Kildare is open during a 24-hour period is as set out in the table hereunder:

I have also been informed by local Garda management that resources are utilised to ensure that stations are opened for the periods outlined, in conjunction with ensuring that car patrols, foot patrols and all other areas of policing are also addressed.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 244: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of extra gardaí required in the Finglas, Ballymun, Glasnevin areas to bring policing levels up to international norms or best practice; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5284/05]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context

It is not clear what "international norms and best practice" the Deputy is referring to in this question.

The interim target of increasing the strength of the Garda Síochána to 12,200 was met and exceeded by the end of November 2004 and a recruitment campaign is now well under way to further increase the strength of the Garda Síochána to 14,000 members, in line 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 Finglas, Ballymun and Glasnevin areas will be considered within the context of the needs of policing needs throughout the country. Clearly, 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.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 245: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the extent to which the number of gardaí in each division or sub-division in Dublin and the greater Dublin area has been increased in the past two and a half years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5285/05]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I have been informed by the Garda authorities responsible for the detailed allocation of resources, including personnel, that the personnel strength of each Garda district in each Garda division in the Dublin metropolitan region as at 1 July 2002 and 1 February 2005 is as set out in the following tables:

In respect of 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 Garda divisions in the DMR region will be fully considered within the context of the needs of Garda divisions throughout the country. Clearly, 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.