Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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The Newcastle and Saggart areas are policed by gardaí attached to Rathcoole Garda station. Gardaí attached to Tallaght are responsible for policing the Brittas area.

I am informed by the Garda authorities, which are responsible for the detailed allocation of Garda resources, including personnel, that the personnel strength of each of the Garda stations which serve the areas Lucan, Clondalkin, Newcastle, Rathcoole, Saggart and Brittas on 31 January, 1997 and 1 January, 2005 was as set out in the attached table:

This represents a total increase of 92 in the number of gardaí policing the areas in question between 31 January 1997 and 1 January 2005. The information requested in respect of the number of gardaí serving in these areas on January 1st 1997, is not readily available and can only be obtained by the expenditure of a disproportionate amount of Garda time and resources relative to the information sought. For comparative purposes, therefore, the figures given relate to January 31 1997 and January 1 2005.

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 Lucan, Clondalkin, Rathcoole and Tallaght Garda stations 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. 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.