Tony Gregory (Dublin Central, Independent)
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Question 417: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number and rank of community gardaí in the Cabra Garda station; and the specific areas to which each garda is assigned. [29839/06]

Tony Gregory (Dublin Central, Independent)
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Question 418: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number and rank of community gardaí in the Bridewell Garda station; and the specific areas to which each garda is assigned. [29840/06]

Tony Gregory (Dublin Central, Independent)
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Question 419: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number and rank of community gardaí in the Mountjoy Garda station; and the specific areas to which each garda is assigned. [29841/06]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 417 to 419, inclusive, together.

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 that the number and rank of Community Gardaí in the Garda Stations at Cabra, Bridewell and Mountjoy as at 25 September, 2006 was as set out in the table.

I am advised that Gardaí attached to the Community Policing Unit at Cabra are assigned to the following areas, with the Sergeant in Charge of the unit having responsibility for its supervision: Cabra West — 2 Gardaí; Navan Road — 2 Gardaí; and Royal Canal Park — 2 Gardaí.

I am further advised that Gardaí attached to the Community Policing Unit at Bridewell are assigned to the following areas, with the Sergeants in Charge of the unit having responsibility for its supervision: area bounded by Capel Street, North King Street and the quays to Capel Street — 2 Gardaí; area bounded by Dorset Street, St. Mary's Place, Western Way, Constitution Hill, North King Street to Bolton Street — 2 Gardaí; area bounded by Constitution Hill, Phibsboro Road, Monck Place, Great Western Square, Grangegorman, North Circular Road, North Brunswick Street — 1 Garda; area bounded by Church Street, North Brunswick Street, Blackhall Place, Benburb Street, North Quays to Church Street — 2 Gardaí; area bounded by Parkgate Street, Infirmary Road, North Circular Road, O'Devaney Gardens, Montpelier — 1 Garda; area bounded by Oxmanstown Road, Palatine Square, Arbour Hill, Stoneybatter, Manor Street, Manor Place — 2 Gardaí; area bounded by North Circular Road, Prussia Street, Manor Street, Kirwan Street, Aughrim Street, Drumalee — 1 Garda; area bounded by Blackhorse Avenue/Grove, McKee Park, Glenbeigh Road, Ellesmere Road; and area bounded by Annamoe Road, Cabra Road, Charleville Road, North Circular Road to Hanlon's Corner — 2 Gardaí.

I am also advised that Gardaí attached to the Community Policing Unit at Mountjoy are assigned to the following areas, with the Sergeant in Charge of the unit having responsibility for its supervision: Blessington Street, Berkely Road, Royal Canal Bank, Mater Hospital, Eccles Street, Goldsmith Street, Phibsboro Basin and surrounding areas — 2 Gardaí; Shandon, Innisfallon Parade, Glengarriff, Phibsboro Road, Connaught Street and surrounding areas — 2 Gardaí; Cabra area, St. Attracta Road, Christ the King — 2 Gardaí; Iona area, Hollybank Road, Botanic Road and surrounding areas — 3 Gardaí; and Dublin Industrial Estate, Glasnevin area, Glasnevin Cemetery, Charleville and surrounding areas — 2 Gardaí. Garda management state that Garda personnel assigned to the areas referred to by the Deputy, 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 the areas referred to by the Deputy will be given the fullest consideration.