Billy Timmins (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Question 83: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the ratio of gardaí per head of population in each Garda district; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35569/05]

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 each Garda district as at 18 November 2005 is as set out in the following table. Corresponding population figures sourced from the CSO 2002 census of population are also included.

I should point out that in relation to divisional headquarters and the population figures, it must be noted that this relates to the resident population only and would not include people who socialise, shop or work in that city centre area.

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 be drawing up plans on how best to distribute and manage these additional resources, and in this context the needs of the Garda Síochána will be fully considered.