Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
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Question 1207: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his plans to increase Garda numbers in the Kildare area; if so, the timeframe of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2531/06]

Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
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Question 1208: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the figures for Garda numbers serving in Kildare for each of the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2532/06]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1207 and 1208 together.

I have been informed by the Garda authorities, which are responsible for the detailed allocation of resources, including personnel, that the personnel strength, all ranks, of the Carlow-Kildare division as at 31 December in each of the past five years was as set out as follows:

Garda divisional boundaries do not 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 for the public.

Garda management states that when additional personnel next become available the needs of the Carlow-Kildare Garda division will be fully considered within the overall context of the needs of Garda divisions throughout the country. In this context I should mention that the timescale for achieving the target strength of 14,000 members of the Garda Síochána in line with the commitment in an Agreed Programme for Government remains as when I announced the Government approval in October 2004 for my proposals to achieve this objective. The phased increase in the strength of the Garda Síochána to 14,000 will lead to a combined strength, of both attested gardaí and recruits in training, of 14,000 by the end of this year. As part of the accelerated recruitment campaign to facilitate this process, 1,125 Garda recruits were inducted to the Garda College during 2005. The college will induct 1,100 recruits this year and a further 1,100 in 2007, by way of intakes to the Garda College of approximately 275 recruits every quarter. This project is fully on target and will be achieved.