Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 198: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he intends to extend the opening hours of the various Garda stations throughout County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35936/05]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 215: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his plans to increase Garda strength at the various Garda stations throughout County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35955/05]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 198 and 215 together.

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 on 19 October last was 332, all ranks. The personnel strength of the division on 31 December 1997 was 292, all ranks. Therefore, there has been an increase of 30, or 13%, in the number of personnel allocated to the division since that date. I have been advised by Garda management that it does not intend to extend the opening hours of any of the Garda stations in County Kildare. I have been further advised that the extension of the opening hours of any of the Garda stations in the county would necessitate the employment of additional personnel on indoor administrative duties who may be more effectively employed on outdoor policing duties. The accelerated recruitment campaign of 1,100 Garda recruits each year to reach a record force strength of 14,000, in line with the commitment in An Agreed Programme for Government, is on target. It will lead to a combined strength, of 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 the additional resources. In this context, the needs of County Kildare will be fully considered within the overall context of the needs of the Carlow-Kildare division and the other Garda divisions throughout the country.