Jerry Cowley (Mayo, Independent)
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Question 254: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will review the policing policy at Irish West Airport, Knock; his views on whether a permanent Garda station is necessary at this airport due to the increase in passenger numbers and the increase in routes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6763/07]

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, that the personnel strength 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 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 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 it would not be the optimum use of Garda resources to provide a full-time Immigration Unit at Knock (Ireland West) Airport. This is based on an analysis of the volume of passengers travelling through the Airport. I have also been informed by the Garda authorities that the Knock (Ireland West) Airport is policed by personnel from the Swinford District and this factor is taken into account when allocating resources to the Swinford District. Furthermore, the Garda authorities consider that the opening of a Garda Station at Knock (Ireland West) Airport would necessitate the employment of additional personnel on indoor administrative duties who may be more effectively employed on outdoor policing duties. I should also say that the Mayo Division's resources are further augmented by a number of National Units such as the Garda National Drugs Unit, the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB), other specialised units and the Criminal Assets Bureau (CAB), all of which have had increased resources to provide a comprehensive policing service to the public. Garda management state that the next allocation of Probationer Gardaí will take place on 14 March 2007. The needs of the Mayo Garda Division, which includes the Swinford Garda District, will be fully considered in this allocation, within the overall context of the needs of Garda Divisions throughout the country.