Charlie O'Connor (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
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Question 473: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will to provide additional resources to the Garda Síochána in Tallaght to facilitate an effective response to crime in Jobstown; the need to support the local community in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8814/05]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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I am informed by the Garda authorities responsible for the detailed allocation of personnel and resources that the personnel strength of Tallaght Garda station as at 18 March 2005 was 171, all ranks, and that an additional three gardaí are due to be allocated to Tallaght Garda station on 2 April 2005.

Local Garda management states that the Jobstown area is patrolled on foot by two dedicated community gardaí. They are assisted by regular uniform, detective and drug unit patrols from Tallaght Garda station. Additional patrols of the area are provided by the divisional crime task force based in Crumlin and the divisional traffic unit based in Terenure. As part of Operation Assist, patrols by elements of the Garda mounted, dog and air support units have been carried out in the Jobstown area.

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

On Garda resources generally, 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 the 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 now draw up plans on how best to distribute and manage these additional resources. In this context, the needs of Tallaght Garda station will be fully considered within the context of the needs of Garda stations 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. They will have a real impact.