Cecilia Keaveney (Donegal North East, Fianna Fail)
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Question 492: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform when a garda sergeant will be appointed for a station (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23588/05]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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I have been informed by the Garda authorities, which are responsible for the detailed allocation of resources, including personnel, that the personnel strength of Malin Garda station as at 28 June 2005 was two — all ranks. The sergeant attached to Malin Garda station retired from an Garda Síochána on 2 June 2005.

Local Garda management reports that available resources are deployed to provide the most effective police service for the area. There is a sergeant in Carndonagh, four miles from Malin, and a sergeant in Clonmany, 12 miles from Malin.

It is the responsibility of the divisional officer for Donegal to allocate personnel within the division. I am advised that every effort is made to fill vacancies at sergeant rank arising as a result of retirements or promotions, in conjunction with the allocation of newly promoted sergeants. The situation will be kept under review and when the next group of newly promoted sergeants is being deployed the needs of Donegal division will be fully considered.

On 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 Garda Commissioner will now draw up plans on how best to distribute and manage these additional resources. In this context the needs of Donegal division will be fully considered with the overall 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 in particular areas with a significant drugs problem and a large number of public order offences, but it will also be possible to address other priorities, such as the need to increase very 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 front line, operational, high-visibility policing. They will have a real impact.

Tony Gregory (Dublin Central, Independent)
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Question 493: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of gardaí involved in policing inside and outside Croke Park during the three U2 concerts last weekend; the costs involved; and the contribution made by the promoter. [23647/05]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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I have been informed by the Garda authorities, which are responsible for the detailed allocation of resources, including personnel, that a total of 284 gardaí— all ranks — were employed each day for the three U2 concerts held in Croke Park on 24, 25 and 27 June 2005. Of this total, 194 gardaí— all ranks — were employed on public duty and 90 gardaí— all ranks — were employed on non-public duty on each of the days.

The total policing cost for these concerts is not yet available. However, the concert promoter, MCD, contributed €194,852 towards same in respect of the non-public duty costs.