Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 217: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of gardaí based in Pearse Street Garda station; the units or special squads they are attached to; the number available for duty on the ground in the south inner city on each shift; the number of community gardaí based in the Garda station; and if he proposes to increase these numbers. [18670/05]

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 218: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of gardaí based in Harcourt Terrace Street Garda station; the units or special squads they are attached to; the number available for duty on the ground in the south inner city on each shift; the number of community gardaí based in the Garda station; and if he proposes to increase these numbers. [18671/05]

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 219: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of gardaí based in Rathmines Street Garda station; the units or special squads they are attached to; the number available for duty on the ground in the area in each shift; the number of community gardaí based in the Garda station; and if he proposed to increase these numbers. [18672/05]

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 220: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of gardaí based in Donnybrook Garda station; the units or special squads they are attached to; the number available for duty on the ground in the area in each shift; the number of community gardaí based in the Garda station; and if he proposed to increase these numbers. [18673/05]

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 221: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of gardaí based in Irishtown Garda station; the units or special squads they are attached to; the number available for duty on the ground in the area in each shift; the number of community gardaí based in the Garda station; and if he proposed to increase these numbers. [18674/05]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 217 to 221, inclusive, together.

I have been informed by the Garda authorities, which are responsible for the detailed allocation of resources, including personnel, that the personnel strength and number of community gardaí, all ranks, currently attached to each of the Garda stations at Pearse Street, Harcourt Terrace, Rathmines, Donnybrook and Irishtown as at 31 May 2005 are as set out in the following tabular statement:

I have been further informed that Garda personnel throughout the 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 or 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 of time.

With regard to Garda resources generally, I am, of course, 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 the agreed programme for Government commitment. 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. Clearly, the 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 significantly increase the number of gardaí allocated to traffic duties as part of the new Garda traffic corps. One promise I have already made is 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.