Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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Question 602: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will provide the resources to increase the number of juvenile liaison officers in County Wexford to the level that each Garda district has one full-time officer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22467/05]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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I have been informed by the Garda authorities, who are responsible for the detailed allocation of resources, including personnel, that there are currently three juvenile liaison officers appointed in the Wicklow-Wexford division and they are assigned to Wexford, New Ross and Arklow Garda stations. I am further informed that during 2004 the juvenile liaison officers in the Wicklow-Wexford division dealt with 574 referrals.

Local Garda management is satisfied with the number of juvenile liaison officers currently available in County Wexford. Garda management will continue to appraise the policing needs of County Wexford with a view to ensuring the maintenance of an effective policing service.

In relation 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 An 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 Wexford-Wicklow 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 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 very 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.