Damien English (Meath, Fine Gael)
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Question 127: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if it is planned to extend the opening hours of the Garda station at Laytown, County Meath; if there will be an increase in the number of gardaí assigned to Laytown; if there are plans to have community gardaí appointed to Laytown; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5372/05]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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I am informed by the Garda authorities which are responsible for the detailed allocation of resources, including personnel, that the personnel strength of Laytown Garda station as at 16 February 2005 was eight — all ranks.

I am further advised that there are currently no plans to extend the opening hours of Laytown Garda station. The extension of the opening hours at the station would only serve to confine more personnel to indoor administrative duties. It is the view of the Garda authorities that such personnel can be utilised more effectively in providing a visible Garda presence on outdoorpolice duties.

In relation to Garda resources generally, I am, of course, very 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 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 Laytown Garda station will be fully considered within the context of the needs of Garda stations throughout the country. Clearly, of course, 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. One thing I have already promised is that the additional gardaí will not be put on administrative duties. They will be put directly into frontline, operational, high-visibility policing. They will have a real impact.