Billy Timmins (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Question 538: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the plans he has to locate a Garda, full time in Dunlavin, County Wicklow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20999/06]

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 further informed by the Garda Authorities that the personnel strength of Dunlavin Garda Station as at the 29th May 2006 was one (1) Garda. Dunlavin Garda Station, which lies within the Baltinglass administrative area, is open to the public from 3pm to 5pm, Monday to Saturday. When not open P.A.C.B. (Public Access Call Box) and call diversion systems are in operation to the District Headquarters at Baltinglass.

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.

Local Garda Management state that they are satisfied with the current personnel allocation the Baltinglass administrative area.

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 thereafter.

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 Dunlavin area will be given the fullest consideration.