Tony Gregory (Dublin Central, Independent)
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Question 278: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will provide a report from the Garda Commissioner detailing if adequate resources are available to the Mountjoy Garda Station, Dublin 7 to allocate a regular Garda foot patrol to cover the Blessington Basin and Royal Canal Bank, Dublin 7 to ensure that this amenity does not become a meeting place for anti-social elements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34540/06]

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 the 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 of Mountjoy Garda Station as at 20 October, 2006 was 88 (all ranks). The personnel strength of Mountjoy Garda Station as at 31 December, 1997 was 78 (all ranks). This represents an increase of 10 (or 12.82%) in the number of personnel allocated since that date.

Local Garda Management report that two (2) Community Gardaí based at Mountjoy Garda Station are specifically assigned to an area that includes the Blessington Basin and Royal Canal Bank. The Community Gardaí maintain contact with the Park Ranger and local residents in relation to issues of concern at the location.

Garda management state that the area is patrolled by Garda Mountain Bike Unit patrols in addition to regular foot and mobile patrols from Mountjoy Garda Station. The area is also patrolled by uniformed and plain clothes units, supplemented by District and Divisional Units, i.e. District Detective and Drug Units and the Divisional Crime Task Force and Traffic Corps Units, in order to prevent incidents of public disorder and other anti-social behaviour.

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 Mountjoy Garda Station will be given the fullest consideration.