Charlie O'Connor (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
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Question 279: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if additional resources will be made available to the gardaí in Tallaght to allow them take more effective and immediate action in co-operation with South Dublin County Council in respect of behaviour problems in the council's housing estates in Tallaght; his views on the need for action; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29651/05]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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I am informed by the Garda authorities, who are responsible for the detailed allocation of resources, including personnel, that the personnel strength of Tallaght Garda station as on 18 October 2005 was 173 for all ranks. The personnel strength of Tallaght Garda station as on 31 December 1997 was 133 for all ranks. This represents an increase of 40% or 30% in the number of personnel allocated to Tallaght Garda station since that date. Local Garda management states it is satisfied that resources currently available in Tallaght are adequate to meet the policing needs of the community.

I have been further informed by the Garda authorities that Tallaght community gardaí work in close co-operation with South Dublin County Council tackling anti-social behaviour. Community gardaí are assigned to ten specific neighbourhoods or parishes that comprise the Tallaght area and are in close working relationship with statutory and voluntary agencies and community representatives on a daily basis. Specific areas of concern with regard to anti-social behaviour are targeted for more intensive policing.

Regarding Garda resources generally, the accelerated recruitment campaign of 1,100 Garda recruits each year to reach a record force strength of 14,000, in line with the commitment in An Agreed Programme for Government, is fully on target. This will lead to a combined strength of both attested gardaí and recruits in training of 14,000 by the end of 2006. The Garda Commissioner will now draw up plans on how best to distribute and manage these additional resources and in this context the needs of Tallaght will be fully considered within the overall context of areas throughout the country.