Billy Timmins (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Question 288: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the crime statistics across all headings for the years 1997 and 2004 for the areas of Bray, Greystones, Wicklow town, Arklow and Blessington, County Wicklow; the number of gardaí based in each of these areas in 1997 and 2004; the number of crimes detected; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26823/05]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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I refer the Deputy to my answers to Parliamentary Question No. 366 on 29 June 2005 and Nos. 698 and 792 on 12 April 2005. I am informed by the Garda authorities that the Garda district of Bray includes the Greystones area.

I am further informed that the details requested by the Deputy in relation to Garda personnel strength in Bray, Greystones, Wicklow town, Arklow and Blessington Garda stations are set out in the following table.

Garda personnel deployment levels throughout the country, together with overall policing arrangements and operational strategy, are continually monitored and reviewed. Such monitoring ensures that optimum use is made of Garda resources, and the best possible service is provided to the public.

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 commitment in An Agreed Programme for Government 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 be drawing up plans on how best to distribute and manage these additional resources. In this context, the needs of each Garda district within the Wicklow region will be fully considered within the context of the needs of Garda districts 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 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.