John Deasy (Waterford, Fine Gael)
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Question 390: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of Gardaí stationed at Waterford City Garda Station in each year from 2000 to 2006; the number of those Gardaí whose duties also included serving Garda stations outside Waterford City; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26852/06]

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.

I have been further informed that the personnel strength (all ranks) of Waterford Garda Station as at 31 December, 2000-2005, inclusively, and as at 4 July, 2006 was as set out in the following table:

Local Garda management report that Gardaí attached to Waterford Garda Station are predominantly assigned to duties in that area. While this approach represents the norm, and the vast majority of the time and effort of such members is expended in Waterford City, some members are from time to time liable for service in other parts of the Waterford/Kilkenny Division and beyond when public interests requires. Service away from Waterford City is generally for short periods including serious crime investigation, specialist search duties, public order maintenance and policing large events. Accordingly, Garda management state that the information requested regarding the number of Gardaí whose duties also included serving Garda stations outside Waterford City is not readily available and can only be obtained by the disproportionate expenditure of Garda time and resources.

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 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 Waterford/Kilkenny Division will be given the fullest consideration.