Jim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 370: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of serving gardaí in each Garda district in Cork city and county and the population in each such Garda district. [34875/05]

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 each Garda district in Cork city and county as at 15 November 2005 was as set out in the table. Corresponding population figures sourced from the CSO 2002 census of population are also included.

It should be noted that the allocation of Garda personnel is determined by a number of factors including population, administrative functions, crime trends and other operational policing needs of the area. I should point out that Anglesea Street Garda station is the divisional headquarters for the Cork city division. It is also the regional headquarters for the southern division. Anglesea Street station polices Cork city centre and in relation to the population figure, it must be noted that this relates to the resident population only and would not include people who socialise, shop or work in the city centre area.

Garda management states that Garda personnel assigned throughout the country, together with the 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 Garda service is provided to the general public.

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 draw up plans on how best to distribute and manage these additional resources, and in this context the needs of Garda districts in Cork city and county will be fully considered within the overall context of the needs of Garda districts throughout the country.