Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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Question 396: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of community gardaí based in Dublin 15; the number based in each station in Dublin 15; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19064/06]

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.

The Dublin 15 area is served by Blanchardstown Garda Station, which is the Divisional Headquarters for the Dublin Metropolitan Region West Division. I have been further informed by the Garda authorities that the personnel strength of Blanchardstown Garda Station as at 31 March, 2006 was 167 (all ranks). The number of Community Gardaí based in Blanchardstown Garda Station as at 31 March, 2006 was 17 (all ranks).

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 the best possible Garda service is provided to the general public.

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 Dublin 15 area will be given the fullest consideration.