Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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Question 482: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the average number of community gardaí which have been deployed in Tallaght in each of the years 2003, 2004 and to date in 2005; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30258/05]

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 the personnel strength of Tallaght Garda station on 18 October 2005 was 173, all ranks. The personnel strength of Tallaght Garda station on 31 December 1997 was 133, all ranks. This represents an increase of 40 or 30% in the number of personnel allocated to Tallaght Garda station since the former date.

The number of gardaí, all ranks, employed in community policing duties on 30 September 2003, 2004 and 2005 is set out in the following table:

I am further informed that local Garda management is satisfied the resources available in Tallaght are adequate to meet the policing needs in the community.

With regard to Garda resources generally, the accelerated recruitment campaign 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 attested gardaí and recruits in training of 14,000 by the end of 2006. The Garda Commissioner will draw up plans on the best distribution and management of these additional resources and, in this context, the needs of the Tallaght area will be fully considered within the overall context of the needs of Garda areas throughout the country.