Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
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Question 295: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of gardaí operating in Kildare for each of the past five years; his plans to increase that number; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39639/05]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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While I do not have the figures for County Kildare, I have been informed by the Garda authorities, who are responsible for the detailed allocation of resources, including personnel, that the personnel strength, all ranks, of the Carlow-Kildare division for each of the past five years was as set out hereunder.

Garda divisional boundaries do not always correlate with county boundaries. Garda personnel assigned throughout the country, 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.

Regarding Garda resources generally, 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 the agreed programme for Government, is fully on target. That 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 draw up plans on how best to distribute and manage those additional resources, and the needs of the Carlow-Kildare division will be fully considered within the overall context of the needs of Garda divisions throughout the country.