Paul Gogarty (Dublin Mid West, Green Party)
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Question 664: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the reason Garda numbers at Lucan station have fallen in view of the number of new developments in the area such as Adamstown and Laraghcon; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14626/06]

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 personnel strength of all ranks of An Garda Síochána as at 31 March 2006 was 12,439. This compares with a total strength of 10,702 as at 30 June 1997 and represents an increase of 1,737, 16.2%, in the personnel strength of the force during that period.

I am further advised that the personnel strength of Lucan Garda station as at 18 April 2006 was 67. Lucan Garda station forms part of the Dublin metropolitan region west division. I am further advised that the personnel strength of all ranks of the Dublin metropolitan region west division as at 18 April 2006 was 681. This compares with an equivalent strength of 502 as at 31 December 1997 and represents an increase of 179, 35.7%, in that period.

It is the responsibility of Garda management to allocate personnel throughout and within divisions on a priority basis in accordance with the requirements of different areas. The allocation of such resources is determined by a number of factors, including demographics, administrative functions, crime trends and other operational policing needs. Garda personnel assignments throughout the country, together with overall policing arrangements and operational strategy, are continually monitored and reviewed. Such monitoring ensures that optimum use is made of Garda resources and that the best possible Garda service is provided to the general public.

I should also say that the timescale for achieving the target strength of 14,000 members of the Garda Síochána in line with the commitment in the agreed programme for Government remains as when I announced the Government's approval in October 2004 for 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. This project is fully on target and will be achieved.

As part of the accelerated recruitment campaign to facilitate this record expansion, 1,125 Garda recruits were inducted to the Garda College during 2005. The college will induct a further 1,100 recruits this year and again in 2007 by way of intakes to the Garda College of approximately 275 recruits every quarter. The first incremental increase of newly attested gardaí under the programme of accelerated recruitment took place on 15 March 2006. The Garda Commissioner will now be drawing up plans on how best to distribute and manage these additional resources and in this context the needs of Lucan Garda station will be given fullest consideration.

David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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Question 667: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of gardaí stationed in Doneraile, County Cork; when the number of gardaí there will be increased; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14701/06]

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 personnel strength of all ranks of An Garda Síochána as at 31 March 2006 was 12,439. This compares with a total strength of 10,702 as at 30 June 1997 and represents an increase of 1,737, 16.2%, in the personnel strength of the force during that period.

I am further advised that the personnel strength of Doneraile Garda station as at 18 April 2006 was one Garda and that the area is also policed by members from Buttevant and Mallow Garda stations. Local Garda management states that there are no immediate plans to increase the personnel strength of Doneraile Garda station. It is the responsibility of Garda management to allocate personnel throughout and within divisions on a priority basis in accordance with the requirements of different areas. The allocation of such resources is determined by a number of factors, including demographics, administrative functions, crime trends and other operational policing needs.

Garda management states that personnel assignments throughout the country, together with overall policing arrangements and operational strategy, are continually monitored and reviewed. Such monitoring ensures that optimum use is made of Garda resources and that the best possible Garda service is provided to the general public. I should also say that the timescale for achieving the target strength of 14,000 members of the Garda Síochána in line with the commitment in the agreed programme for Government remains as when I announced the Government's approval in October 2004 for 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. This project is fully on target and will be achieved.

As part of the accelerated recruitment campaign to facilitate this record expansion, 1,125 Garda recruits were inducted to the Garda College during 2005. The college will induct a further 1,100 recruits this year and again in 2007 by way of intakes to the Garda College of approximately 275 recruits every quarter. The first incremental increase of newly attested gardaí under the programme of accelerated recruitment took place on 15 March 2006. The Garda Commissioner will now be drawing up plans on how best to distribute and manage these additional resources, and in this context the needs of Doneraile Garda station will be given the fullest consideration.