Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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Question 418: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if An Garda Síochána foot patrols on Philipsburgh Avenue, Dublin 3 will be improved. [3890/06]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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I have been informed by the Garda authorities, who are responsible for the detailed allocation of resources, including personnel, that the area referred to is policed by gardaí at Clontarf Garda station.

Garda management states that community policing is a central feature and core value in policing policy of local Garda management. Additional resources have been allocated to the community policing unit at Clontarf. An excellent partnership approach between gardaí and the local community has evolved and addresses local issues of concern.

The Garda authorities have further informed me that current policing policy in the Clontarf sub-district is predicated on: the prevention of public order offences; the prevention of crime, particularly crimes of violence against persons and property; and the maintenance of an environment conductive to the improvement of the quality of life. This strategy is, and will continue to be, central to the delivery of a policing service to the area served by Clontarf Garda station.

Garda management also states that Operation Encounter, introduced by the Commissioner in 2002, addresses public disorder and anti-social behaviour by targeting offences under the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act 1994 and the Intoxicating Liquor Acts 1988 and 2003. To date, in excess of 300,000 offences have been recorded. This operation is ongoing.

Garda management further states that anti-social behaviour has been specifically targeted in a number of divisional and district policing plans for 2006 and progress will be monitored by senior Garda management on an ongoing basis. Garda personnel assignments 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.

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 of my proposals to achieve this objective. The phased increase in the strength of An 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.