Damien English (Meath, Fine Gael)
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Question 174: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform when a crime prevention officer will be reappointed to Navan Garda station. [36123/06]

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 interviews for the position of Crime Prevention Officer in respect of the Louth/Meath Garda Division have taken place and the appointment will be made shortly.

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 have been further informed that the Divisional Crime Prevention Officer for the Louth/Meath Division is based at Drogheda Garda Station. There has never been a Crime Prevention Officer assigned to Navan Garda Station. Garda management state that there are currently no plans to allocate a Crime Prevention Officer to Navan Garda Station.

Damien English (Meath, Fine Gael)
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Question 175: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his plans to increase Garda numbers at Navan Garda station in view of the increase in population in the past four years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36124/06]

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 have been further informed that the personnel strength (all ranks) of Navan Garda Station as at 3 November, 2006 was 48. Navan Garda Station is located within the Louth/Meath Division. The personnel strength (all ranks) of the Division as at 3 November, 2006 was 541.

Garda management state that it is proposed to allocate an additional 10 Gardaí to the Louth/Meath Division before 31 December, 2006 in conjunction with the allocation of Probationer Gardaí from the Garda College.

The Louth/Meath Division's resources are further augmented by a number of Garda National Units such as the Garda National Drugs Unit, the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB), the Criminal Assets Bureau (CAB) and other specialised units, all of which have had increased resources to provide a comprehensive policing service to the community.

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 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, and in this context the needs of Navan Garda Station will be given the fullest consideration.