Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 185: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of Gardaí including rank and the number assigned to each duty at the concerts held in Marley Park during summer 2006; and the ratio of Gardaí to concert goers. [37396/06]

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 there were five concerts held in Marley Park during the Summer of 2006, with an estimated attendance at each concert of over 15,000. I have also been informed that there were 2 Inspectors, 9 Sergeants and 73 Gardaí deployed at each concert under the command of a Superintendent. The estimated ratio of Gardaí to concert-goers was in the order of 1 Garda per 176 patrons.

It is the responsibility of Garda management to allocate personnel for such events on a priority basis in accordance with policing requirements identified in connection with those events. These 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.