Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 132: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he has consulted with the Garda authorities with a view to identifying the optimum number gardaí requirement at the various stations throughout County Kildare with the objective of achieving best practice in line with international standards of the ratio of police numbers to population; if he has identified the number of gardaí now required in County Kildare to achieve this standard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39832/06]

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 also been informed by the Garda authorities that the personnel strength of the Carlow/Kildare Division as at 21 November, 2006 was 367 (all ranks). The personnel strength of the Carlow/Kildare Division as at 31 December, 1997 was 281 (all ranks). This represents an increase of 86 (or 30.6%) in the number of personnel allocated since that date.

I should add that it is the responsibility of Garda management to allocate personnel to and within Divisions. These personnel allocations are determined by a number of factors including demographics, crime trends, administrative functions and other operational policing needs. 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 by the Garda authorities that the Garda Establishment Redistribution Model (GERM) is utilized as an indicator for the effective means to distribute Garda personnel throughout the country.

In addition, I should remind the Deputy of the role of the Garda Síochána Inspectorate which I established in July 2006. Its objective, as set out in the Garda Síochána Act 2005, is to ensure that the resources available to An Garda Síochána are used, so as to achieve and maintain the highest levels of efficiency and effectiveness in its operation and administration, as measured by reference to the best standards of comparable police services. One of the areas currently being examined by the Inspectorate as part of an operational and administrative assessment of the Garda Síochána includes Resource Allocation, including the deployment of Garda and civilian personnel. I have asked for an interim report from the Inspectorate no later than January 2007 and a final report by May 2007.