Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Independent)
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Question 182: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the plans which are in place both in the short term and long term to provide an increased Garda presence in a town (details supplied) in order to tackle the recurrence of crimes such as burglary and car theft; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35822/05]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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I have been informed by the Garda authorities, which are responsible for the detailed allocation of resources, including personnel, that the personnel strength of the Carlow-Kildare division as at 21 November 2005 was 331 across all ranks. The personnel strength of the Garda station at Kill, County Kildare as at 22 November 2005 was three across all ranks. The local Garda management is satisfied that the current policing arrangements at Kill are adequate to meet the present policing needs of the area.

I am informed by the Garda Commissioner who has responsibility for the deployment of policing resources 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 in order to tackle the recurrence of crimes such as burglary and car theft.

On 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 is drawing up plans on how best to distribute and manage these additional resources, and the needs of Kill, County Kildare and the Carlow-Kildare division will be fully considered within the overall context of policing needs throughout the country.