Séamus Healy (Tipperary South, Independent)
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Question 382: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of gardaí based at Fethard Garda station, County Tipperary on 1 January 1998 and 1 January 2005; and when the Garda post lost at this station due to the retirement of a Garda will be replaced. [36882/05]

Séamus Healy (Tipperary South, Independent)
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Question 384: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of gardaí of all ranks at Garda stations (details supplied) in County Tipperary at 1 January 1998 and 1 January 2005. [36884/05]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 382 and 384 together.

I am informed by the Garda authorities, who are responsible for the detailed allocation of resources, including personnel, that the personnel strength of the Tipperary division as at 1 January 1998 was 297, all ranks. The personnel strength of the Tipperary division as at 1 January 2005 was 316, all ranks. This represents an increase of 19 or 6.39% in the number of Garda personnel allocated to the Tipperary division since that date.

I have been further informed by the Garda authorities that the personnel strength of Clonmel, Carrick-on-Suir, Tipperary town, Cashel, Cahir, Fethard Garda stations as at 1 January 1998 and 1 January 2005 was as set out in the following table:

It is the responsibility of the divisional officer to allocate personnel within his or her division. Local Garda management report that the question of a replacement Garda for Fethard Garda station will be considered during future allocations of newly attested gardaí and where possible by way of interdivisional transfer for permanent gardaí. Garda management also report that resources from Clonmel are utilised to augment Garda strength in Fethard as required. Garda personnel assigned to areas in Tipperary, together with overall policing arrangements and operational strategy, are constantly monitored and reviewed. Such monitoring ensures that optimum use is made of Garda resources and that the best possible service is provided to the public.

With regard 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 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 Tipperary will be fully considered.

Séamus Healy (Tipperary South, Independent)
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Question 383: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of dedicated community gardaí in south Tipperary at 1 January 1998 and 1 January 2005. [36883/05]

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 personnel strength of the Tipperary division as at 1 January 1998 was 297, all ranks. The personnel strength of the Tipperary division as at 1 January 2005 was 316, all ranks. This represents an increase of 19 or 6.39% in the number of Garda personnel allocated to the Tipperary division since that date. I am further advised that details of the number of gardaí who were assigned to community policing duties in south Tipperary on 1 January 1998 is not readily available. However, the number of gardaí, all ranks, assigned to community policing duties in the Tipperary division as at 21 June 2005 — the latest date for which figures are available — was ten. Constituency boundaries do not correspond to Garda divisional boundaries. Local Garda management states all members of the Garda have responsibility, inter alia, to deal with community policing issues as they arise. All policing in the area referred to by the Deputy is community-based from existing and mainstream policing resources. Local Garda management also report the mountain bike unit is utilised to engage in high visibility policing.

With regard to Garda resources generally, the accelerated recruitment campaign to reach a record force strength of 14,000, in line with the commitment in the 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 draw up plans on how best to distribute and manage these additional resources and, in this context, the needs of the Tipperary division will be fully considered.