Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 367: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the Garda strength nationally and in the Dublin metropolitan area; and the way in which this compares with the same period in 2004, 2003 and 2002. [36707/05]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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I am informed by the Garda authorities, who are responsible for the detailed allocation of resources, including personnel, that the Garda strength nationally and in the Dublin metropolitan region as at year ends 2002, 2003 and 2004 and at 28 November 2005, was as set out in the following table:

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 different areas.

The numbers of Garda personnel assigned throughout the country, together with overall policing arrangements and operational strategy, are continually monitored and reviewed. Such monitoring ensures that optimum use is made of Garda resources, and that the best possible policing service is provided to the general public.

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