Billy Timmins (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Question 383: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the crime statistics for the Bray area, County Wicklow for the years between 2000 and 2004; if he will allocate more gardaí to the area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13400/05]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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I am informed by the Garda authorities that the current personnel strength of Bray Garda station as of 25 April 2005 is 85, all ranks. This compares with a figure of 76 on 31 December 1997 and represents an increase of nine, or 12%, in the personnel strength since that date.

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 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 Bray 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 also, 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.

Statistics for headline crime offences in Bray district for the period 2000 to 2004 are outlined in the following table.