Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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Question 184: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he intends to provide additional Garda manpower resources to the Wexford district; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4942/06]

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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Question 185: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform when the appointment of a Garda sergeant to fill the position of that rank vacant since July 2005 in Wexford town will be made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4943/06]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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I propose to answer Questions Nos. 184 and 185 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 all ranks of the Wexford district as at 8 February 2006 was 90. I have been further informed by the Garda authorities that the first incremental increase of newly attested gardaí due to the programme of accelerated recruitment into the Garda Síochána will take place on 16 March 2006.

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 states that during the allocation of the newly attested personnel, in March, the needs of the Wexford district will be fully considered within the overall context of the needs of Garda districts throughout the country.

It is the responsibility of the divisional officer for the Wicklow-Wexford division to allocate personnel within the division. I am advised that every effort is made to fill vacancies that arise as a result of retirements and promotions in conjunction with the allocation of newly attested gardaí and newly promoted personnel. Garda management will continue to appraise the policing and administrative strategy employed in the Wicklow-Wexford division with a view to ensuring an effective Garda service is maintained.

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.