Written answers

Wednesday, 1 November 2006

Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform

Garda Stations

6:00 am

Photo of Dinny McGinleyDinny McGinley (Donegal South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 265: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the progress of a proposed 24 hour Garda station in Carndonagh in North Inishowen, County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35693/06]

Photo of Michael McDowellMichael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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I have been informed by the Garda authorities that there are plans to provide a new Area Headquarters Station at Carndonagh, Co. Donegal. To this end the Office of Public Works recently advertised in the local and national press for suitable sites. I understand that OPW are currently assessing the responses and their recommendations will be considered by the Garda Authorities and my Department once they are available. While it is not possible to say at this point in time when the project will commence, I can assure the Deputy that there will be no avoidable delay in addressing the accommodation needs of the Gardaí in Carndonagh.

I have been further 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 with 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 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 North Inishowen will be given the fullest consideration.

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