Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 785: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the extent by which the number of gardaí deployed to each Garda station in Dublin and the greater Dublin area has increased in the past three years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11233/05]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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I am informed by the Garda authorities that the personnel strength of each Garda station in the Dublin metropolitan region as at 31 March 2002 and 31 March 2005 was as follows:

This represents an increase of 282 or 8.3% in the number of gardaí allocated to stations in the DMR from 31 March 2002 to 31 March 2005.

In regard to Garda resources generally, I am 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 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 now draw up plans on how best to distribute and manage these additional resources. In this context, the needs of the DMR will be fully considered within the context of the needs of Garda stations throughout the country. 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 front line, operational, high-visibility policing. They will have a real impact.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 786: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the extent to which he has increased or decreased the number of gardaí attached to the various Garda stations throughout County Kildare in the past three years; his plans to increase this number; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11234/05]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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I have been informed by the Garda authorities, who are responsible for the detailed allocation of resources, including personnel, that the personnel strength of each Garda station in County Kildare as at the 31 of March, 2002 and the 31 of March, 2005 was as follows:

I am further informed that there is one Garda post at Ballymore Eustace Garda station. This post is currently vacant and it is the intention of local Garda management to fill this vacancy as soon as possible.

In regard to Garda resources generally, I am 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 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 now draw up plans on how best to distribute and manage these additional resources. In this context, the needs of the Garda stations in County Kildare will be fully considered within the context of the needs of Garda stations throughout the country. 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.