Tom Hayes (Tipperary South, Fine Gael)
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Question 560: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of Garda stations in South Tipperary which are without a full-time Garda presence; and the stations where this is the case. [27585/06]

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 Garda Stations in South Tipperary as shown in the tables have Garda members attached to the Station and are open for specified hours on a weekly basis, but are not open to the public on a 24-hour basis. Where personnel in Sub-District Stations are not available, Gardaí attached to the relevant District Headquarters Station patrol the Sub-District and attend to calls requiring attention.

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 South Tipperary will be given the fullest consideration.

Tom Hayes (Tipperary South, Fine Gael)
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Question 561: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of Garda stations in South Tipperary which have closed since 1997; and the number which are due to be closed in the coming five years. [27586/06]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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I have been informed by the Garda authorities that there have been no Garda Stations closed in the Garda Districts of Clonmel, Cahir and Tipperary in South Tipperary since 1997. I have been further informed that there are currently no plans to close any Garda Stations in the Tipperary Division.