Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 177: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the high crime areas in Dublin City, where nightly foot and mobile patrols are available; his plans to increase same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22218/06]

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 is set to rise to a record 12,641 today following the attestation of 273 new members. This compares with a total strength of 10,702 (all ranks) as at 30 June 1997 and represents an increase of 1,939 (or 18.1%) in the personnel strength of the Force during that period.

Garda management state that foot and mobile patrols are an essential part of the policing strategy in place in the Dublin Metropolitan Region (DMR). These patrols are supplemented by District Detective and Drugs Units, Garda Mountain Bike Units, Community Policing Units, Divisional Crime Task Force and Traffic Corps personnel to target areas of high incidence of crime.

Operation 'Anvil' has been in place in the DMR since 17 May, 2005 and is running in conjunction with regular policing. All areas throughout the city are subject to this operation, with specific locations and individuals being targeted for additional attention.

It is the responsibility of Garda management to allocate personnel to and within Garda 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 by senior Garda management 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 and the second such group comes on stream today. Further tranches of approximately 275 newly attested Gardaí will follow every 90 days hereafter until the programme is complete.

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 Metropolitan Region will be given the fullest consideration.