Tony Gregory (Dublin Central, Independent)
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Question 443: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of Gardai in the Bridewell District, Dublin 7; the breakdown by rank and area of activity; the number of community Gardaí and the areas to which they are assigned; the number in each area; and the equivalent numbers for May 2005. [16156/06]

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

I have been further informed that the current strength of the Bridewell District is as set out in the table.

Garda management states that for operational reasons it is not Garda Policy to outline the areas of activity.

Garda management further states that there are nine Community Policing Sectors in the Bridewell District and they are as follows:

∙Sector 1 — Capel Street, Quays, North King Street.

∙Sector 2 — Dorset Street, Western Way, St Mary's Place.

∙Sector 3 — Constitution Hill, Phibsboro Road, Grangegorman.

∙Sector 4 — Blackhall Place, Benburb Street, the Quays.

∙Sector 5 — Infirmary Road, North Circular Road, O'Devaney Gardens.

∙Sector 6 — Oxmanstown Road, Arbour Hill, Stoneybatter, Manor Street.

∙Sector 7 — Prussia Street, North Circular Road, Drumalee Estate.

∙Sector 8 & 9 — Blackhorse Ave., McKee Park, Glenbeigh Road.

I am further informed that the current number of Community Gardaí, equivalent numbers for May, 2005 and the areas to which they are assigned are as set out in the table.

Garda management states that there are also two (2) Sergeants who have responsibility for the supervision of the nine Community Policing Sectors in the Bridewell District.

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. This 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 Deputy 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 from here on in.

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 the Bridewell District will be given the fullest consideration.