Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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Question 225: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of gardaí allocated to the Dublin west district; the breakdown by rank and area of activity; the number of community gardaí and the areas to which they are assigned; the number in each area; the equivalent numbers for May 2005; his proposals to appoint additional gardaí to the area in view of the huge developments taking place in the area and the consequent significant growth in population; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4416/07]

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.

I am further informed by the Garda authorities that the personnel strength of the DMR West Garda Division on 31 May 2005 and on 6 February 2007 was as set out in the table hereunder:

The personnel strength (all ranks) of the DMR West Garda Division as at 31 December 1997 and as at 6 February 2007 was 513 and 719 respectively. This represents an increase of 209 (or 40.2%) in the number of Gardaí allocated to the Division since that date.

I am further informed that the Division's 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.

The Garda authorities state that the number of Community Gardaí in the DMR West Division on 31 May 2005 and on 6 February 2007 was as set out hereunder:

The Deputy should appreciate that, as with any large organisation, on any given day, personnel strengths of individual stations may fluctuate due, for example, to promotions, retirements and transfers.

Under the Garda Síochána Act 2005 it is the responsibility of the Garda Commissioner to allocate personnel to and within Divisions on a priority basis in accordance with the requirements of different areas. In this regard, I am informed by Garda management that personnel allocations are determined by a number of factors including demographics, crime trends 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.

The allocation of Garda resources will be kept under review and when additional personnel next become available the needs of the DMR West Garda Division will be fully considered within the overall context of the needs of Garda Divisions throughout the country.