Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North, Fine Gael)
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Question 186: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if his attention has been drawn to the concerns expressed by the local Garda Representative Association member in Tralee concerning the level of Garda manpower in County Kerry; the measures he proposes to put in place to ensure that all parts of the country have adequate Garda cover; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35856/05]

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 Kerry division as at 22 November 2005 was 266 across all ranks. I have been further informed that the personnel strength of Tralee Garda station as at 22 November 2005 was 87 across all ranks. Garda management will continue to monitor and appraise the policing and administrative strategy employed throughout the country with a view to ensuring that an effective Garda service is maintained.

I am not aware of specific concerns expressed regarding the level of Garda manpower in County Kerry. However, 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 County Kerry will be fully considered within the overall context of the needs of Garda areas throughout the country.