Pat Carey (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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Question 261: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the resources located at Finglas Garda Station between 20 December 2006 and 2 January 2007; the other resources available to be drawn upon in the same period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1109/07]

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 following the attestation of 299 new members on Thursday, 16 November, 2006. 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 combined strength (all ranks) of both attested Gardaí and recruits in training as at the 31 December 2006 was 14,068. Furthermore, I should say that in December, 2006 as part of a package of anti-crime measures, the Government approved the continuation of the existing Garda recruitment programme to achieve a total Garda strength of 15,000. The accelerated intake of 275 new recruits per quarter into the Garda College will continue until this target is met. The Garda Budget now stands at €1.4 billion, an 11% increase on 2006 and a 96% increase since 1997 in real terms.

The personnel strength (all ranks) of Finglas Garda Station as at 31/12/97, 20/12/06 and 02/01/07 was as set out in the table hereunder:

This represents an increase of 11 (or 14.4%) in the number of personnel allocated to Finglas Garda Station from 31 December 1997 to 2 January 2007.

Finglas Garda Station forms part of the "K" District of the Dublin Metropolitan Region West Division. The personnel strength (all ranks) of this District as at 31 December, 1997 and 31 December, 2006 was 247 and 329 respectively. This represents an increase of 82 (or 33.2%) in the number of personnel allocated to the District since that date. Divisional 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.

Garda Management state that during the period of 20 December, 2006 and 2 January, 2007, Finglas Garda Station had 2 marked cars, 1 van and 5 unmarked cars. I am further informed that resources at Finglas Garda Station are augmented from Blanchardstown and Cabra Stations as required.

Garda personnel assigned throughout the country, together with overall policing arrangements and operational strategy, are continually monitored and reviewed to ensure optimum use of Garda resources and the delivery of the best possible service to the public. During the allocation of newly attested personnel, the needs of Finglas Garda Station will be fully considered by the Garda Commissioner within the overall context of the needs of Garda Stations throughout the country.