Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 186: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform when he proposes to increase the strength of the various Garda stations throughout County Kildare in line with the population increase; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3763/06]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 187: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of gardaí available on a nightly basis in each of the towns throughout County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3764/06]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I propose to take Questions Nos. 186 and 187 together.

I have been informed by the Garda authorities, who are responsible for the detailed allocation of resources, including personnel, that the personnel strength of the Garda Síochána as at 31 January 2006 was 12,228, all ranks. The personnel strength of the Carlow and Kildare division as at 31 December 1997 was 281, all ranks, and as at 31 January 2006 was 332, all ranks. This represents an increase of 51, or 18%, in the number of Garda personnel allocated to the Carlow and Kildare division in that period.

The allocation of Garda resources is a matter for the Garda Commissioner. In this regard the Commissioner takes into account a number of factors including population, crime trends and the operational policing needs of each division. Garda management further states that for security and operational reasons it is not Garda policy to disclose the number of gardaí working in any particular area at any specific time. I add 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.

Garda management advises me that the first incremental increase of attested gardaí from the accelerated recruitment will take place in March 2006. The phased increase in the strength of the Garda Síochána 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. In this regard, the Garda authorities plan that intakes of 275 student gardaí will commence training in 2006 on the dates set out hereunder:

The project to increase the strength of the Garda Síochána to 14,000 is fully on target and will be achieved.

The Commissioner is now drawing up plans on how best to distribute and manage these additional resources. Clearly, of course, the additional resources will be targeted at the areas of greatest need, as envisaged in the programme for Government. The programme identifies particular areas with a significant drugs problem and a large number of public order offences, but it will be possible to address other priorities as well, such as the need to very significantly increase the number of gardaí allocated to traffic duties as part of the new Garda traffic corps. I have already promised that the additional gardaí will not be put on administrative duties. They will be put directly into frontline, operational, high-visibility policing. They will have a real impact.