Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 508: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of squad cars available in each Garda district in County Mayo; the extent of ability to cover each district sufficiently with this level of service; if he is himself with the current situation; his proposals to improve the situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30670/05]

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 current number of squad cars available in each Garda district in County Mayo is as set out in the following table:

Transport resources are allocated by Garda management in a way that best meets operational requirements and the maintenance of law and order. The allocation of transport resources within Garda divisions is kept under constant review and additional resources are allocated to divisions to meet their policing needs as appropriate. Garda management states that the number of patrol cars allocated to Mayo Garda division is adequate to provide an efficient police service at this present time.

In relation 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 both attested gardaí and recruits in training, of 14,000 by the end of 2006. The Garda Commissioner will now be drawing up plans on how best to distribute and manage these additional resources and in this context the needs of the Mayo division will be fully considered within the overall context of the needs of Garda divisions throughout the country.