Willie Penrose (Westmeath, Labour)
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Question 263: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if the Garda complement at Killucan Garda station in County Westmeath will be restored to its original level of three; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16695/05]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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Garda authorities, who are responsible for the detailed allocation of Garda resources, including personnel, inform me that the personnel strength of Killucan Garda station as of 17 May 2005 was one garda.

It is the responsibility of the divisional officer to allocate personnel within his or her division.

Garda management will continue to appraise the policing and administrative strategy employed in the Longford Westmeath division, with a view to ensuring an effective Garda service is maintained.

On the question of Garda resources generally, 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 a commitment in An Agreed Programme for Government 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 draw up plans on how best to distribute and manage these additional resources. In this context, the needs of the Longford Westmeath division will be fully considered within the context of the needs of Garda divisions throughout the country. Clearly, the additional resources will be targeted at the areas of greatest need, as envisaged by the programme for Government. The programme identifies particular areas with a significant drugs problem and a large number of public order offences, but it will be possible to address other priorities, 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. They will be put directly into frontline, operational, high-visibility policing. They will have a real impact.

Willie Penrose (Westmeath, Labour)
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Question 264: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if the manning level of Delvin Garda station in County Westmeath will be restored to its normal level; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16696/05]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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Garda authorities, who are responsible for the detailed allocation of Garda resources, including personnel, have informed me that the personnel strength of Delvin Garda station as of 17 May 2005 was one garda.

It is the responsibility of the divisional officer to allocate personnel within his or her division. A garda is due to be assigned to Delvin Garda station on 14 June 2005.

Garda management will continue to appraise the policing and administrative strategy employed in the Longford Westmeath division, with a view to ensuring an effective Garda service is maintained.

On the question of Garda resources generally, 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 a commitment in An Agreed Programme for Government 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 Garda Commissioner will draw up plans on how best to distribute and manage these additional resources. In this context, the needs of the Longford Westmeath division will be fully considered within the context of the needs of Garda divisions throughout the country. Clearly the additional resources will be targeted at the areas of greatest need, as envisaged in the programme for Government. The programme identifies particular areas with a significant drugs problem and a large number of public order offences, but it will be possible to address other priorities, 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. They will be put directly into frontline, operational, high-visibility policing. They will have a real impact.