Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
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Question 124: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform further to Parliamentary Question No. 432 of 16 May 2006, the number of additional Gardaí appointed to each of the stations in the Kildare and Carlow division over the past five years; the opening hours of each of these stations; the number of Gardaí in each station; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43105/06]

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 am informed by the Garda authorities that the personnel strength (all ranks) of the Carlow/Kildare Division as at 31 December, 1997 and as at 12 December, 2006 was 281 and 367 respectively. This represents an increase of 86 (or 30.6%) in the number of Garda personnel assigned to the Carlow/Kildare Division during that period.

The personnel strength of each Garda Station in the Carlow/Kildare Division as at 31 December, 2001 and as 12 December, 2006 was as set out in the following table:

I am further informed that the official opening hours of each Garda Station in the Carlow/ Kildare Division are as set out in the following table:

Garda Management state that the opening hours as set out in the table are dependent on the availability and rostered tour of duty of the members attached to each station.

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 125: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform when an area (details supplied) in County Longford will have a full time Garda presence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43146/06]

Paul McGrath (Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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Question 131: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of Garda squad cars based at Ballymahon Garda Station, County Longford. [43316/06]

Paul McGrath (Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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Question 132: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will confirm that Ballymahon Garda Station, County Longford has been downgraded and that normal Garda business for this station is handled from Athlone. [43317/06]

Paul McGrath (Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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Question 133: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number and rank of Gardaí stationed at Ballymahon Garda Station in County Longford each year for each of the past 10 years. [43318/06]

Paul McGrath (Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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Question 134: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will confirm that Ballymahon Garda Station, County Longford has very limited opening hours and that Gardaí attached to this Garda station are regularly deployed to Athlone Town; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43319/06]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 125 and 131 to 134, inclusive, together.

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.

Local Garda Management report that Ballymahon Garda Station has not been downgraded. The personnel strength was augmented in May 2006 with the allocation of an additional Garda member to Ballymahon Garda Station.

I am further informed that the personnel strength (all ranks) of Ballymahon Garda Station as at 12 December, 2006 was 4. The personnel strength (all ranks) of Ballymahon Garda Station (by rank) from 1997 to the latest date for which figures are available was as set out in the following table:

Ballymahon Garda Station forms part of the Athlone District. The personnel strength of the Athlone District as at 31st December 1997 and as at 12th December 2006 (all ranks) was 58 and 69 respectively. This represents an increase of 11 (or 18.9%) in the number of Gardaí allocated to the District since that date.

It is the responsibility of the Divisional Officer to allocate personnel within his/her Division. 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.

The normal opening hours of Ballymahon Garda Station are as set out in the following table:

The extension of the opening hours at individual Garda Stations is a matter for the Divisional Officer. Garda management advise that the extension of opening hours at any Garda Station necessitates the employment of additional personnel on indoor administrative duties and consequently a loss to outdoor operational policing.

Local Garda Management report that Ballymahon Garda Station has not been downgraded. The personnel strength was augmented in May 2006 with the allocation of an additional Garda member to Ballymahon Garda Station.

I am further informed that there is one car permanently assigned to Ballymahon Garda Station. Local Garda Management also report that they have introduced a patrol system whereby members from Ballymahon, Ballymore and Glasson provide a service to all three sub-districts with the use of the patrol car from Ballymahon. This system has proved to be very successful and provides a suitable Garda presence for the entire area.

Local Garda Management state that personnel attached to Ballymahon Garda Station are not deployed in Athlone, other than to attend District/Circuit Courts. Resources are augmented from within the District/Division as required. The area is also patrolled by the Divisional Traffic Unit based at Longford Garda Station and the District Detective Unit based at Athlone Garda Station.

Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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Question 126: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the extra policing measures that will be put in place in the surrounding residential areas following the opening up of Croke Park to extra matches in soccer and rugby; and if he will work with Dublin City Council on this matter. [43181/06]

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 am further informed that the personnel strength of the Dublin Metropolitan Region North Central Garda Division as at 31st December 1997 and as at 12th December 2006 (all ranks) was 585 and 673 respectively. This represents an increase of 88 (or 15%) in the number of Gardaí allocated to the Division since that date.

The Garda Síochána is responsible for security, public order, and traffic control at major events. I am informed by the Garda authorities that the number of Gardaí assigned to police major sporting events, together with overall policing arrangements and operational strategy, is continually monitored and reviewed. Such monitoring ensures that optimum use is made of Garda resources, and the best possible service is provided to the public.

Garda management state that during each major event in Croke Park specific operational plans and additional policing measures, including additional traffic management and enforcement and public order patrols are put in place in the surrounding areas. Issues of particular concern to local residents are specifically addressed as part of this planning process.

As is the case with regular fixtures at Croke Park, local Garda management work closely and maintain on-going liaison with Dublin City Council.

Garda management further state that relevant matters, including expected attendance, fan-base / patrons, as well as the teams involved, are taken into account when preparing the policing plans for each event. This will dictate the level of policing required for regular and additional fixtures to be held in Croke Park.