Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
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Question 386: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of gardaí per station in the Carlow/Kildare division; the status of the gardaí; the number of community based gardaí; the number of gardaí especially assigned to the detection and surveillance of the use of drugs and illegal substances per station; the proposals to increase the stated numbers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29360/06]

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 each Garda station in Carlow/Kildare Division, as at 31 December, 1997 and as at 27th September,

2006 was as set out in the table.

This represents an increase of 82 (or 29%) in the personnel strength of the Carlow/Kildare division during that period.

Local Garda Management report that Naas Garda Station is the only Garda Station in the Division in which community based Gardaí are currently allocated. There are currently three Gardaí allocated to the Community Garda Unit there.

There is currently one Sergeant and six Gardaí assigned to the detection and surveillance of the use of drugs and illegal substances in the Division. One Sergeant and two Gardaí are attached to Newbridge Garda station, two Gardaí are attached to Carlow Garda station and two Gardaí are attached to Naas Garda station.

Garda personnel assigned throughout the country, together with overall policing arrangements and operational strategy, are continually monitored and reviewed. Such monitoring ensures that optimum use is made of Garda resources and the best possible Garda service is provided to the general 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 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 Carlow/Kildare Division will be given the fullest consideration.