Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 210: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the ratio of gardaí to the civilian population in the years 2000, 2002, 2005 and to date in 2006; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36585/06]

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.

I can inform the Deputy that based on the definitive Census figures available, which is the 2002 census population figure, the ratio of Gardaí per 100,000 of the civilian population for the years 2000, 2002, 2005 and as at 3 November, 2006 was as set out in the table hereunder. These ratios will of course require to be adjusted in due course when the final report of the 2006 Census is available.

I should add that the current recruitment drive to increase the attested 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.