Joe Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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Question 155: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he has brought to Government his request for approval for the appointment of an additional 1,000 gardaí; the response received from Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30628/06]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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In August 2005, my Department received a submission from the Garda Commissioner on the resourcing requirements of An Garda Síochána. The submission was based on the Commissioner's analysis of the policing challenges facing An Garda Síochána in the medium and longer term, including the implications of demographic change, the need to continue to combat crime and terrorist threats, and the requirements for enhanced enforcement of road traffic law and immigration control. In the submission, the Commissioner proposed the future expansion of An Garda Síochána to 15,000 full time members. He also proposed the expansion of the Garda overtime budget, the creation of a Garda Reserve and additional civilian support for An Garda Síochána.

On these last three issues, strong action has been taken. The 2006 Garda overtime budget allocation has risen by €22.4 million to €83.5 million, an increase of 36.6% over the original allocation of €61.1 m in 2005. I have made the necessary regulations providing for the establishment of a Garda Reserve and recruitment and training of Reserve Members is underway. As I outlined in an answer to another question today, significant progress has also been made on providing additional civilian support for An Garda Siochána.

On the issue of an increase in the strength of An Garda Síochána to 15,000, the priority now is to complete the current recruitment drive to increase the strength of An Garda Síochána to 14,000 members, in line with the commitment in the Agreed Programme for Government. This has involved a major redevelopment of the facilities at the Garda College, almost doubling its student capacity. The recruitment programme is fully on target, and will lead to a combined strength, of both attested Gardaí and recruits in training, of 14,000 by the end of this year.

I am now giving careful consideration to the case made by the Garda authorities for a continuation of the current intensive recruitment drive beyond the target of 14,000. I do not want to anticipate the decision of Government, but I can say that I recognise the strength of the case made by the Commissioner and his colleagues and that I attach considerable weight to their arguments.