Séamus Healy (Tipperary South, Independent)
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Question 431: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of gardaí attached to Clonmel, Carrick-on-Suir, Tipperary town, Cashel and Fethard Garda stations on 1 June 1997, 1 June 2002 and 1 May 2006; and the number of gardaí dedicated to drugs related activities in south Tipperary. [19369/06]

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 am advised that the personnel strength (all ranks) of Clonmel, Carrick On Suir, Tipperary Town, Cashel and Fethard Garda Stations as at 1st June, 1997, the 1st June 2002 and the 1st May 2006 was as set out hereunder:

I am further informed that the personnel strength of the Divisional Drugs Unit as at the 23rd of May 2006 was 9 (all ranks). All Gardaí have responsibility to deal with drugs related issues as they arise. I am pleased to inform the Deputy that an additional 15 Gardaí are due to be allocated to Tipperary Division in conjunction with the next allocation of Probationer Gardaí on the 9th June 2006.

It is the responsibility of Garda management to allocate personnel to and within Divisions on a priority basis in accordance with the requirements of different areas. These personnel allocations are determined by a number of factors including demographics, crime trends, administrative functions and other operational policing needs. Such allocations are continually monitored and reviewed along with overall policing arrangements and operational strategy. This ensures that optimum use is made of Garda resources, and that the best possible service is provided to the public.

I should add 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 do so 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 Garda Stations mentioned will be given the fullest consideration.