Charlie O'Connor (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
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Question 240: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will make additional resources available to Tallaght gardaí to allow them deal effectively with the vandalism and anti-social behaviour highlighted at a recent public meeting (details supplied); his views on the concern of the local community; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30833/06]

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 local Garda management are satisfied that resources allocated to Tallaght Garda Station are reviewed on an on-going basis and are deployed in-line with demand and crime trends, to ensure that a quality service is provided to the local community. The total strength of Tallaght Garda Station as at 2 October, 2006 was 173 (all ranks). The total strength of Tallaght Garda Station as at 31 December, 1997 was 133 (all ranks). This represents an increase of 40 (or 30%) in the number of personnel allocated to Tallaght Garda Station since that date. The area referred to, is patrolled by uniform and plain-clothes Gardaí supplemented by Divisional Crime Task Force Units, Divisional Traffic Corps and District and Divisional Drug Units in conjunction with District Community Policing Unit and the Garda Mountain Bike Unit.

I have also been informed by the Garda authorities that uniform patrols, mobile and foot, pay particular attention to areas where youths tend to congregate including green areas, licensed venues and fast-food outlets. Garda Management state that Operation 'Encounter' was put in place by the Commissioner in February, 2002 to target offences under the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Acts and the Intoxicating Liquor Acts. Garda authorities state that the current policing plans in the area are designed to achieve, inter alia, the prevention of anti-social and public order offences; the prevention of crime including crimes of violence against persons and property and the maintenance of an environment conducive to the improvement of quality of life for the residents. This strategy will continue to be central to the delivery of a policing service to the area. It is the responsibility of Garda management to allocate personnel to and within Divisions on a priority basis in accordance with the requirements of different areas. These personnel allocations are determined by a number of factors including demographics, crime trends, administrative functions and other operational policing needs. Such allocations are continually monitored and reviewed along with overall policing arrangements and operational strategy. This ensures that optimum use is made of Garda resources, and that the best possible service is provided to the 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 area referred to by the Deputy will be given the fullest consideration.