James Breen (Clare, Independent)
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Question 306: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if Garda numbers will be increased in County Clare in view of the significant increase in vandalism, assaults, illegal drug activity and public order offences in the county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29057/06]

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 increased to a record 12,762 on Friday 8 September following the attestation of 249 new members. This compares with a total strength of 10,702 (all ranks) as at 30 June, 1997 and represents an increase of 2,060 (or 19%) in the personnel strength of the Force during that period. The Garda Budget now stands at €1.3 billion, a 13% increase on 2005 and an 85% increase since 1997 in real terms.

I have been further informed by the Garda authorities, that the personnel strength of the Clare Division as at 31 December, 1997 was 219 (all ranks). The personnel strength of the Clare Division as at 21 September, 2006 was 320 Gardaí (all ranks). This represents an increase of 101 (or 46%) in the number of personnel since that date. In addition, I would point out that the Division's resources are further augmented by a number of Garda National Units such as the Garda National Drugs Unit, the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB), the Criminal Assets Bureau (CAB) and other specialised units.

Garda authorities state that on 8 September, 2006, an additional forty Gardaí were allocated to Shannon Garda Station following a review of the on-going security operation at Shannon Airport. This was in addition to the original twenty Gardaí allocated on commencement of the security operation at Shannon Airport. The allocation of personnel to Clare Division is closely reviewed and monitored by local Garda management.

It should be borne in mind that any interpretation of the crime figures should factor in the increase in our population in the past ten years. In 1995, with a population of almost 3.6 million people, there were 29 crimes per 1,000 of the population. In the year ending June, 2006 (the most recent period for which figures are available), with a population of 4.23 million people, there were 24.9 crimes per 1,000 of the population.

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 three groups of newly attested Gardaí under this accelerated recruitment programme came on stream in March, June and September of this year and the fourth such group will become fully attested members of the Force later this year. 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 Clare will be given the fullest consideration.

Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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Question 307: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if support will be given to the residents of Moyross, Limerick by putting in at least two extra Garda squad cars 24 hours per day; and if he will work with other relevant authorities on this issue. [29106/06]

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 increased to a record 12,762 on Friday 8 September following the attestation of 249 new members. This compares with a total strength of 10,702 (all ranks) as at 30 June, 1997 and represents an increase of 2,060 (or 19%) in the personnel strength of the Force during that period. The Garda Budget now stands at €1.3 billion, a 13% increase on 2005 and an 85% increase since 1997 in real terms.

I am further informed that the personnel strength (all ranks) of Mayorstone Garda Station, which covers the Moyross area, as at 31 December, 1997 and 27 September, 2006 was 27 and 49, respectively. This represents an increase of 22 (or 81%) in the number of Gardaí allocated to Mayorstone Garda Station during that period.

The policing plan in place for the Moyross area of Limerick City is most comprehensive and this has been the situation for some time to allow Garda management monitor criminal activity. I am further informed that apart from routine patrols conducted by uniformed and plain-clothes units based at Mayorstone Garda Station, a number of additional patrolling initiatives are in place to deal with the unique policing situation in Moyross. I am also informed that a dedicated uniform mobile patrol, consisting of 1 Sergeant and 2 Gardaí, perform a specific night-time patrol of the Moyross area.

Garda management state that Community policing is an important element of the policing strategy in Moyross. A vehicle is allocated to the Unit which is utilised, full-time, in the Moyross area. A well established and active Youth Diversion Project is also in place, for many years, in the Moyross area. Garda management further state that there is well established and ongoing liaison between An Garda Síochána and the other leading agencies in Limerick City who provide services for the Moyross area.

Additional resources are being allocated to Limerick Division in the coming weeks and the Community Policing Unit will comprise 1 Sergeant and 6 Gardaí. I am informed, however, that local Garda management do not consider that the extra allocation of 2 patrol cars would be of major benefit at this time.

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 three groups of newly attested Gardaí under this accelerated recruitment programme came on stream in March, June and September of this year and the fourth such group will become fully attested members of the Force later this year. 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 Moyross will be given the fullest consideration.