Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 399: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of gardaí based in Ballyfermot Garda station; the units or special squads they are attached to; the number available for duty in Ballyfermot on each shift; the number of community gardaí based in Ballyfermot Garda station; and if he proposes to increase these numbers. [18383/05]

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 400: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of gardaí based in Kevin Street Garda station; the units or special squads they are attached to; the number available for duty in the south inner city on each shift; the number of community gardaí based in Kevin Street Garda station; and if he proposes to increase these numbers. [18384/05]

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 401: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of gardaí based in Crumlin Garda station; the units or special squads they are attached to; the number available for duty in the Crumlin area on each shift; the number of community gardaí based in Crumlin Garda station; and if he proposes to increase these numbers. [18385/05]

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 403: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of gardaí based in Kilmainham Garda station; the units or special squads they are attached to; the number available for duty in Kilmainham on each shift; the number of community gardaí based in Kilmainham Garda station; and if he proposes to increase these numbers. [18388/05]

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 404: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of gardaí based in Sundrive Garda station; the units or special squads they are attached to; the number available for duty in the Crumlin area on each shift; the number of community gardaí based in Sundrive Garda station; and if he proposes to increase these numbers. [18389/05]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 399 to 401, inclusive, 403 and 404 together.

I have been informed by the Garda authorities, who are responsible for the detailed allocation of resources, including personnel, that the personnel strength and number of community gardaí, all ranks, attached to each of the Garda stations at Ballyfermot, Kevin Street, Crumlin, Kilmainham and Sundrive Road, as at 31 May 2005, is as set out in the following table:

I have been further informed that Garda personnel throughout Garda stations in the Dublin metropolitan region are attached to uniform, detective, task force, special resource, mountain bike, community policing and drugs units. Resources are augmented from within each district-division, as required. For security and operational reasons it is not Garda policy to disclose the number of personnel who will perform duty in any particular area over a specific period.

As regards Garda resources generally, 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 commitment in this regard in An 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 Garda Commissioner will now draw up plans on how best to distribute and manage these additional resources. In this context, the needs of the Garda stations mentioned will be fully considered within the context of the needs of Garda stations throughout the country. Additional resources will be targeted at the areas of greatest need, as is 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 as well, such as the need to increase significantly 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 and will have a real impact.