Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 210: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of Gardaí working in community policing in the Tallaght Garda station in each year over the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38653/06]

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 13,000 on Thursday, 16 November, 2006, following the attestation of 299 new members. This compares with a total strength of 10,702 (all ranks) as at 30 June, 1997 and represents an increase of 2,298 (or 21.5%) 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 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 Tallaght Garda Station as at 31 December, 1997 and 30 October, 2006 was 133 and 173, respectively, representing an increase of 40 (or 30%) in the number of Garda personnel allocated to Tallaght Garda Station during that period. I have also been informed that the personnel strength (all ranks) of the Community Policing Unit at Tallaght Garda Station as at 31 December, 2001-2005, inclusively, and as at 17 November, 2006 was as set out in the table hereunder:

I should add that 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.

Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 211: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of Gardaí during 2005 and 2006 who have transferred out of a station (details supplied) in order to join a specialist unit within the metropolitan area or within the Gardaí generally; if, in each case, the Garda lost to the station in question was subsequently replaced by a new member of An Garda Síochána; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38654/06]

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 13,000 on Thursday, 16 November, 2006, following the attestation of 299 new members. This compares with a total strength of 10,702 (all ranks) as at 30 June, 1997 and represents an increase of 2,298 (or 21.5%) 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 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 the Garda Station in question as at 31 December, 1997 and 30 October, 2006 was 133 and 173, respectively, representing an increase of 40 (or 30%) in the number of Garda personnel allocated to the Garda Station during that period. I have also been informed that the number of Gardaí (Garda rank) who were transferred from the Garda Station in question in 2005 and to date in 2006 was 21 and 10, respectively.

Garda management advise that of the 21 Gardaí transferred from the Garda Station in 2005: 8 Gardaí were successful in competitions to join Specialist Units and were subsequently transferred to Specialist Units in November, 2005; 1 Garda was transferred to the Garda College, Templemore, and the remaining 12 Gardaí were transferred from the Station following requests from the members concerned. Garda management further advise that of the 10 Gardaí transferred from the Garda Station to-date in 2006: 3 Gardaí transferred to Specialist Units; 4 Gardaí transferred Inter-Divisional at their own request, and the remaining 3 Gardaí transferred to Garda stations within the Dublin Metropolitan Region South Division.

Garda management state that, in 2005, 19 Probationer Gardaí were allocated directly from the Garda College to the Garda Station in question and 1 Garda transferred into the Station. To-date in 2006, 26 Probationer Gardaí have been allocated directly from the Garda College to Tallaght Garda Station and 1 Garda has transferred into the Station.

I should add that 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.

Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 212: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of probationary Gardaí who were allocated from the Garda college to a station (details supplied) in each year since 2000; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38655/06]

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 13,000 on Thursday, 16 November, 2006, following the attestation of 299 new members. This compares with a total strength of 10,702 (all ranks) as at 30 June, 1997 and represents an increase of 2,298 (or 21.5%) 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 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 nineteen (19) Probationer Gardaí were allocated directly from the Garda College to the Garda Station in question on first allocation in 2005 and a total of twenty six (26) Probationer Gardaí have been allocated directly from the Garda College to the Garda Station to date this year. Garda management state that the information requested in relation to the number of Probationer Gardaí who were allocated from the Garda College to the Garda Station in question from 2000 to 2004 is not readily available and can only be obtained by a disproportionate expenditure of Garda time and resources.

I should add that 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.