Tony Gregory (Dublin Central, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 115: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number and rank of community gardaí in Store Street Garda Station, Dublin now and in September 2005; the number specifically assigned to the East Wall area of Dublin 3; and if gardaí on mountain bikes are available. [30225/06]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context

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, 2006, 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 number and rank of community Gardaí in Store Street Garda Station as at 30 September, 2005 and as at 27 September, 2006 was as set out in the following table;

Local Garda Management state that there are four (4) Community Gardaí specifically assigned to the East Wall area. In addition there are six (6) Mountain Bikes deployed on operational duties in Store Street Garda Station of which three (3) exclusively patrol the East Wall area.

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 Store Street Garda Station will be given the fullest consideration.