Tom Hayes (Tipperary South, Fine Gael)
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Question 454: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will examine the possibility of approving two additional gardaí to service the Fethard area of County Tipperary owing to a rise in crime and anti-social behaviour. [14562/05]

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 Fethard Garda station as at 3 May 2005 was one sergeant and one garda. I am further advised that local Garda management is satisfied with the current policing arrangements in the Fethard sub-district.

Regarding 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 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 Fethard sub-district will be fully considered within the context of the needs of Garda districts and sub-districts 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 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 but will be put directly into frontline, operational, high-visibility policing where they will have a real impact.