Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Independent)
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Question 74: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of Gardaí employed in each of the Leixlip, Maynooth, Celbridge, Kilcock, Naas, Carbury, Clane and Kill stations or sub-stations by rank; the number of additional Gardaí assigned to each of these stations over the past year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3166/07]

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.

Naas, Celbridge, Clane, Kill, Carbury and Maynooth Garda Stations are located in the Carlow/Kildare Division. The personnel strength of the Carlow Kildare Division as at 31 January, 2007 was 367.

Leixlip Garda Station is located in the Dublin Metropolitan Region West Garda Division. The personnel strength of the Dublin Metropolitan Region West Garda Division as at the 31 January 2007 was 721. Kilcock Garda Station is located in the Louth/Meath Division. The personnel strength of the Louth Meath Division as at the 31 January, 2007 was 549. I have been further informed that the personnel strength (by rank) of the Leixlip, Maynooth, Celbridge, Kilcock, Naas, Carbury, Clane and Kill Garda stations as at 31 January, 2007 was as set out in the table hereunder:

Since the 31 December 2005, ten additional Gardaí have been assigned to Naas Garda Station and three additional Gardaí have been assigned to Clane Garda Station.

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 the Garda Stations in County Kildare will be fully considered by the Garda Commissioner within the overall context of the needs of Garda Stations throughout the country.