Jim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 131: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will provide a breakdown of the Garda stations that are permanently manned, those that are temporarily manned and those that operate a green man system; the opening hours for each; the number and rank of the Gardaí attached to each; and the resources available to each in terms of personal protective equipment, communications equipment, mechanically propelled vehicles and civilian staff. [30362/06]

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, 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. A list of all Garda stations by Division is available on the Garda website (www.garda.ie). All divisional and district headquarters are open on a twenty four (24) hour basis.

The personnel strength (all ranks) of each Garda Division throughout the country, as at 25 September, 2006, was as set out in the following table:

I want to see Gardaí provided with all necessary equipment up to best international practice. This is not just an aspiration. I am providing and will continue to provide the necessary resources for this to happen. In relation to protective equipment generally, I am of the view that in facing the dangers that they do on our streets members of the Force need protective and defensive equipment commensurate with that risk. In that regard, I wish to inform the Deputy that in relation to "Body Armour", the Garda Síochána, has issued Requests for Tender (RFTs) for the supply and delivery of 12,500 Anti Stab/Ballistic Vests and 3,000 Retractable Batons. There is also a provision in these RFTs to purchase a further 4,700 vests and a further 12,000 Batons, if required, over the duration of the contract. Contracts are due to be signed in the very near future for the supply of these items and it is expected that the delivery will commence shortly thereafter.

An Garda Síochána constantly evaluate all available technology with a view to determining the technology best suited to their needs. Significant resources are being invested in technology for the Gardaí to assist them in the exercise of all their functions. The capital allocation for IT in 2006 is €33.323 million representing an increase of €5.065 (18%) on the 2005 outturn. One aspect of technology I am particularly committed to is the delivery of a state-of-the-art digital radio service for An Garda Síochána. To this end, the procurement of an outsourced Managed Service by the Department of Finance on behalf of An Garda Síochána, other blue light services and some non-commercial public bodies, is well underway. While the exact timeframe for roll-out will be subject to contract negotiations with the successful bidder, the implementation of the new service is planned to commence later this year. The total allocation for communications for 2006 is €12.9 million.

I have also been informed by the Garda authorities that the total number of vehicles by category in the Garda Fleet, excluding vehicles in the Ministerial Fleet, is as set out in the tables hereunder:

As regards civilian resources, there are already over 1,850 civilians working with An Garda Síochána, including approximately 835 (whole time equivalent) clerical support staff in Garda stations across the country, in Garda HQ and in National Support Services in Harcourt Square. I should add that I have this week received formal sanction from the Minister for Finance for an additional 76 civilian clerical and administrative support staff to be distributed around the country. These will be recruited at the earliest opportunity. In addition, I should mention the Garda Information Service Centre (GISC) in Castlebar, which is now almost fully operational with some 150 civilian staff now employed there out of a sanctioned total of 160. Recruitment of the remaining staff is currently under way. The GISC allows Gardaí who would otherwise have to return to their Stations to input data on the PULSE system, to log the information with the GISC, while remaining on the beat. This frees up very significant amounts of Garda time for continued operational duty. The Garda authorities are already considering what other tasks could be devolved to the GISC which would release additional Garda resources to front-line policing. The more detailed information sought by the Deputy requires compilation and I will write to the Deputy as soon as, and to the extent to which, the information is available.

Jim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 132: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the estimated cost of the provision of Garda resources at the Ryder Cup. [30363/06]

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, 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 also been informed by the Garda authorities that following negotiations between the Ryder Cup organisation and An Garda Síochána it was agreed that an amount of €1.7m would be paid by that organisation towards the cost of policing the 2006 Ryder Cup. An invoice for €850,000, being the first instalment due, has recently issued by the Garda authorities to the Ryder Cup organisation. A project code was established by An Garda Síochána to capture the costs associated with the policing of the 2006 Ryder Cup. A total costing of this event will not be available until all expenditure claims have been processed. Due to the large volume of claims involved and the fact that the Ryder Cup only concluded on Sunday last, 24 September, it will be a number of weeks before this information is to hand.

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 Divisions will be given the fullest consideration.

Jim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 133: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the level of resources currently allocated to the Garda national immigration bureau at each of the State's airports; his views on whether the resources are adequate; his plans to crease such resources; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30364/06]

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, 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 also been informed by the Garda authorities that one hundred and sixty-five (165) members of an Garda Síochána and thirty-six (36) civilian staff are currently attached to the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB). Seventy-seven (77) Garda members of the GNIB are assigned to Dublin Airport. A further ten (10) are assigned to immigration control duties at Dún Laoghaire Port. In addition, there are a total of 455 other members of An Garda Síochána, 253 full-time and 202 on a part-time basis, appointed as Immigration officers and engaged on immigration control duties at the land border with Northern Ireland and at other Ports of Entry to the State, other than Dublin Airport and Dún Laoghaire Port. These members are Divisional resources in the Garda Division where the land border or Port of Entry is located. An additional pier is under construction at Dublin Airport and is to be completed by late 2007, while a proposed second terminal is expected to be operational in the second half of 2009. Enhanced immigration facilities will be a feature in both terminals and Garda management at the GNIB will liaise with the Dublin Airport Authority in this regard. The allocation of resources to immigration control duties is regularly reviewed and monitored by senior Garda management.

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 GNIB will be given the fullest consideration.