Ivor Callely (Dublin North Central, Fianna Fail)
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Question 481: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the plans in place for development and enhancement of the Garda Síochána in the north city area of Dublin, in view of the high level and extent of house building, increased densities and general construction which will require additional Garda duties; the provision made to ensure adequate accommodation and support services for members of the Garda to meet the estimated demands; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25024/06]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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I have been informed by the Garda Commissioner that the personnel strength of An Garda Síochána increased to a record 12,641 (all ranks) on Thursday 8 June with 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.

The Dublin Metropolitan Region (DMR) North Division comprises the following 10 Garda Stations: Ballymun, Clontarf, Coolock, Dublin Airport, Howth, Malahide, Raheny, Santry, Swords and Whitehall. I have been further informed that the personnel strength (all ranks) of the DMR North Division as at 27 June, 2006 was 613.

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.

The provision of accommodation for An Garda Síochána in the north of the city is progressed on the basis of agreed priorities of the overall garda building and maintenance programmes. In this regard, priority has been given to providing a major new station at Ballymun which will incorporate a new Divisional Headquarters. I understand tenders are to be invited shortly for its construction. With regard to support services, An Garda Síochána provide a broad range of facilities including information technologies. For example, the Garda Pulse system is directly available to all stations in the DMR Northern region as is access to the Fixed Charge Processing system and Email facilities.

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 this accelerated recruitment programme came on stream in March and the second such group did so on the 8th of June. Further tranches of approximately 275 newly attested Gardaí will follow every 90 days thereafter 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 area referred to by the Deputy will be given the fullest consideration.