Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 160: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of gardaí available for on-the-beat duty and station duty in each of the Garda divisions on a daily and nightly basis throughout the Dublin metropolitan divisions; if adequate numbers of patrol cars are readily available in each case; if those numbers are sufficient to give adequate and even coverage throughout the area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15908/06]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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I have been informed by the Garda authorities that the personnel strength, covering all ranks, of the Garda Síochána on 31 March 2006 was 12,439. That compares with a total strength of 10,702, covering all ranks, on 30 June 1997 and represents an increase of 1,737, or 16.2%, in the personnel strength of the force during that period.

I am advised by the Garda authorities that the Garda Dublin metropolitan region consists of six operational divisions and the Dublin metropolitan traffic corps. The personnel strength of each of the Dublin metropolitan region divisions on 31 March 2006 was as follows.

I am advised that the Garda Síochána operates a three-relief roster system whereby three out of four units work in any 24-hour period, with the fourth unit resting in the same 24-hour period.

In addition, I understand that there are also 147 officers in the Dublin traffic unit and 99 officers in Dublin command and control. That brings the overall strength in the Dublin region to over 4,020 personnel. That does not include hundreds of officers in special units who operate extensively, but not exclusively in Dublin.

For security and operational reasons, it is not Garda policy to disclose the number of personnel on patrol in any particular area over a specific period of time. Garda personnel assigned 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 the best possible garda service is provided to the general public. On the question of Garda resources, it is also the case that the Garda budget for 2006 is at an all-time high of €1.29 billion.

I should also say that the current recruitment drive to increase the strength of the Garda Síochána to 14,000 members in line with the commitment in the agreed programme for Government is fully on target. That will lead to a combined strength, of both attested gardaí and recruits in training, of 14,000 by the end of this year. I am pleased to inform the Deputies that the first group of newly attested gardaí under the accelerated recruitment programme came on stream in March, and a further 275 newly attested gardaí will come on stream every 90 days henceforth. The Garda Commissioner will now be drawing up plans on how best to distribute and manage those additional resources.