Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 208: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of Garda stations currently operational throughout County Kildare; the number of such stations that have been modernised and upgraded in terms of accommodation and technology; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36583/06]

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, 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 induction of 280 new Garda recruits to the Garda College on 6 November, 2006 has resulted in a combined strength, of both attested Gardaí and recruits in training, of 14,137. The Garda Budget now stands at €1.3 billion, a 13% increase on 2005 and an 85% increase since 1997 in real terms.

Garda Divisional boundaries do not correlate exactly with County boundaries. I am further informed by the Garda authorities that there are 18 Garda Stations currently operational in County Kildare. This figure includes Monasterevin which is temporarily closed due to fire damage. Over the past 5 years, all 18 stations have had either maintenance works carried out, new stations have been built or planned (Derrinturn and Leixlip respectively) or have been painted as part of the Garda Station painting programme.

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. 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 County Kildare will be given the fullest consideration. I regret that it has not been possible in the time available to fully compile the information requested by the Deputy. I will contact the Deputy again when the balance of the information is to hand.