Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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Question 224: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of community gardaí at Coolock, Clontarf, Raheny and Santry Garda stations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32116/05]

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 for all ranks of the community policing units attached to the stations referred to by the Deputy as at 31 October 2005 was as set out in the table hereunder:

Local Garda management report that community gardaí attached to these stations have an excellent rapport with the local community and that the Garda bicycle unit attached to Ballymun and Howth also provides additional personnel to police these areas as and when required. 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 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 areas referred to by the Deputy will be fully considered within the overall context of the needs of Garda areas throughout the country.