Michael Lowry (Tipperary North, Independent)
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Question 495: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of gardaí stationed at each station in County Tipperary on 1 January in each year from 2000 to 2005. [21005/05]

Michael Lowry (Tipperary North, Independent)
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Question 497: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform further to Questions Nos. 386 to 392 of 10 May 2005, if he will examine the levels of Garda resources in the county; if he will allocate additional Garda manpower to the area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21007/05]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 495 and 497 together.

I am informed by the Garda authorities, who are responsible for the detailed allocation of Garda resources, including personnel, that the personnel strength of each Garda station in the Tipperary division as at 1 January 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2005 was as set out in the following table:

I am further also advised that the personnel strength of the Tipperary Garda division as at 16 June 2005 was 313, all ranks, compared to 297 as at 1 January 1998. This represents an increase of 16, or 5.3%, in the number of personnel allocated to Tipperary division since that date.

With regard to Garda resources generally, I am 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 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 now draw up plans on how best to distribute and manage these additional resources. In this context, the needs of the Tipperary division will be considered in the context of the needs of Garda divisions throughout the country. Clearly, of course, 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. 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 where they will have a real impact.