Billy Timmins (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Question 793: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his plans to locate a full time Garda presence in Dunlavin, County Wicklow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11261/05]

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 Dunlavin Garda station forms part of the Baltinglass area. The personnel strength of Dunlavin Garda station as at today, 12 April 2005, is one garda. The personnel strength of the Baltinglass district as today is 54, all ranks.

I am further informed that Dunlavin Garda station is open to the public from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. daily, depending on the member's rostered tour of duty. If the resident member is not available, the area is policed by gardaí attached to Baltinglass Garda station. A detective garda attached to Blessington Garda station assists with the investigation of serious crime in the area.

The allocation of Garda resources to Dunlavin, together with overall policing arrangements and operational strategy are continually monitored and reviewed. Such monitoring ensures that optimum use is made of Garda resources, and the best possible service is provided to the public.

Billy Timmins (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Question 794: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the requests he has received over the past 12 months for an increased Garda presence in the in the Carnew area of County Wicklow, in view of the number of serious crimes that have occurred there in recent times; if he will increase Garda strength in the area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11262/05]

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 Carnew Garda station as at today, 12 April, 2005 is one garda. In addition, I am informed that local Garda management has allocated an additional garda to Carnew Garda station on a temporary basis since 3 January, 2005. Policing at Carnew is augmented by patrols from Gorey, Bunclody and the divisional traffic unit. The allocation of Garda resources to Carnew, together with overall policing arrangements and operational strategy is continually monitored and reviewed. Such monitoring ensures that optimum use is made of Garda resources and the best possible service is provided to the public.

As regards 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 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 be drawing up plans on how best to distribute and manage these additional resources. In this context, the needs of the Carnew Garda station 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 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.