Bernard Allen (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 174: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the manpower and the population cover in each of the Garda districts in Cork city and county. [17473/05]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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I have been informed by the Garda authorities that the personnel strength of each Garda district in Cork city and county as of 23 May 2005, and the corresponding population figures, formulated from statistics gathered for the 2002 census population, were as set out in the table.

Anglesea Street Garda station is the divisional headquarters for the Cork City division. It is also the regional headquarters for the southern division. Anglesea Street station polices Cork city centre and this relates to the resident population only and does not include people who socialise, shop or work in the city centre.

Bernard Allen (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 175: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the manpower and the population cover in each of the Garda districts in Dublin city and county. [17474/05]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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I have been informed by the Garda authorities that the personnel strength of each Garda district in Dublin city and county as of 23 May 2005, along with the corresponding population figures, formulated from statistics gathered for the 2002 census, was as set out in the table.

I am 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 the agreed programme for Government. 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 draw up plans on how to distribute and manage these additional resources. In this context, the needs of each Garda district in Dublin city and county will be fully considered within the context of the needs of Garda districts 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 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. The additional gardaí will not be put on administrative duties. They will be put directly into front line, operational, high visibility policing and they will have a real impact.