Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 325: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will increase the number of gardaí available for duty at the various Garda stations throughout County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16498/05]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 326: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform when he will be in a position to increase Garda strength in County Kildare in line with demographic trends; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16499/05]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 325 and 326 together.

I am informed by the Garda authorities responsible for the detailed allocation of Garda resources, including personnel, that the total personnel strength of Garda stations in County Kildare as of 13 May 2005 was 240, all ranks. Local Garda management is satisfied that the resources allocated to each Garda station in County Kildare are adequate to meet the present policing needs of the county.

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 key commitment in programme for Government commitment. Its implementation will significantly strengthen the operational capacity of the force. The Garda Commissioner will draw up plans on how best to distribute and manage these additional resources. The needs of County Kildare will be fully considered within the context of the needs of all counties.

The additional resources will be targeted at the areas of greatest need, as is envisaged in the programme for Government which identifies, in particular, areas with significant drugs problems and large numbers of public order offences. It will be possible to address other priorities, such as the need to significantly increase the number of gardaí allocated to traffic duties in the new Garda traffic corps. Additional gardaí will not be put on administrative duties but directly into frontline, operational, high-visibility policing which will have a real impact.