Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 255: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if it is intended to open Celbridge, Maynooth and Leixlip Garda Stations on a 24 hour basis. [34049/06]

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 that the personnel strength (all ranks) of Celbridge, Maynooth and Leixlip Garda Station as at 31 December, 1997 and 20 October, 2006 was as set out hereunder:

I have also been informed that the Celbridge and Maynooth Garda Stations form part of the Carlow/Kildare Division and the Leixlip Garda Station forms part of the Dublin Metropolitan Region West Division. The official opening hours of each of these stations are as set out in the table hereunder:

Garda management state that the opening hours as set out above are dependent on the availability and rostered tour of duty of the members attached to each station.

Garda management further state that there are no plans to change the opening hours of Celbridge, Maynooth and Leixlip Garda Stations at this time. The extension of the opening hours would necessitate the employment of additional personnel on indoor administrative duties who may be more effectively engaged on outdoor policing duties.

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. Garda management state that 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 Celbridge, Maynooth and Leixlip Garda stations will be given the fullest consideration.

Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 256: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of the country's 144 Garda stations which operate on a 24 hour basis that were established within the past 10 years; the number of stations that were downgraded from 24 hour a day operations to other hours of operation, or were closed entirely; if his reply to Parliamentary Question No. 230 of 10th October, 2206 only applies to areas in which there is a new demand for an expansion to station opening times, or if he intends to scale 24 hour station opening times back in order to facilitate an increased level of outdoor policing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34053/06]

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 that the number of Garda Stations established within the past 10 years which operate on a 24 hour basis and the number of Garda stations that were changed from 24 hour a day operations to other hours of operation, or were closed, are as set out in the table hereunder:

Garda management state that the extension of the opening hours at individual Garda Stations is a matter for each Divisional Officer. The extension of opening hours at any Garda Station would necessitate the employment of additional personnel on indoor administrative duties and consequently a loss to outdoor operational policing.

Garda management further state that there are currently no proposals to change opening times in 24 hour Garda stations. 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 all Garda Stations will be given the fullest consideration.