Joe Costello (Dublin Central, Labour)
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Question 320: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of Gardaí in Cabra Garda Station in the last ten years; the number of these that are attached to Áras an Uachtaráin; the number of these that are Community Gardaí; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21589/06]

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 30 April 2006 was 12,408. This compares with a total strength of 10,702 (all ranks) as at 30 June 1997 and represents an increase of 1,706 (or 16%) in the personnel strength of the Force during that period. I am pleased to advise the Deputy that the serving strength of the Force is to receive a significant additional boost with the attestation of approximately 275 new members tomorrow (8 June).

I have been further informed that the personnel strength of Cabra Garda Station as at 31 December, 1997-2005, inclusively, and as at 6 June, 2006 was as set out in the table hereunder:

The overall decrease in Garda numbers in Cabra Garda Station, as shown in the table above, reflects the fact that the District "K" Headquarters in Dublin Metropolitan Region West moved from Cabra Garda Station to Blanchardstown Garda Station during the period in question.

Garda management state that the number of Community Gardaí attached to Cabra Garda Station as at 6 June, 2006 was 6 (all ranks).

Garda management further state that for security and operational reasons it is not Garda policy to disclose the number of personnel on duty in any particular area at any given time. Accordingly, the information requested in relation to the number of Gardaí attached to Áras an Uachtaráin is not available. However, I have been informed that personnel strengths at Cabra Station are calculated to include the security requirements at Áras An Uachtaráin and routine day-to-day policing matters.

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. The first group of newly attested Gardaí under the accelerated recruitment programme came on stream in March, with a further 275 newly attested Gardaí to 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 Cabra Garda Station will be given the fullest consideration.