Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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Question 127: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of Gardaí of all ranks who were in the Wexford district, County Wexford at 31 December in each of the years 1997 to 2006 inclusive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11856/07]

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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Question 128: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of Gardaí of all ranks who were in the New Ross district, County Wexford at 31 December in each of the years 1997 to 2006 inclusive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11857/07]

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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Question 129: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of Gardaí of all ranks who were in the Enniscorthy district, County Wexford at 31 December in each of the years 1997 to 2006 inclusive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11858/07]

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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Question 130: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of Gardaí of all ranks who were in the Gorey district, County Wexford at 31 December in each of the years 1997 to 2006 inclusive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11859/07]

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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Question 131: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of Gardaí stationed in the Wicklow Wexford Garda division during the years 1997 to 2006 inclusive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11860/07]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 127 to 131, 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 13,178 following the attestation of 273 new members on Wednesday 14 March, 2007. This compares with a total strength of 10,702 (all ranks) on 30 June, 1997 and represents an increase of 2,476 (or over 23%) in the personnel strength of the Force during that period. The combined strength (all ranks), of both attested Gardaí and recruits in training on 14 March, 2007 was 14,258. Furthermore, I should say that on 19 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 approximately 1,100 new recruits per annum 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 have been further informed by the Garda authorities that the personnel strength of each District in the Wicklow/Wexford Division on 31 December, 1997 to 2006 and on 26 March, 2007 was as set out in the following table:

The personnel strength of the Wicklow/Wexford Division on 31 December, 1997 and 26 March, 2007 was 269 and 354 (all ranks) respectively. This represents an increase of 85 (or 31.5%) in the number of personnel allocated since that date.

Resources are further augmented by a number of Garda 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.

I should add that it is the responsibility of Garda management to allocate personnel to and within Divisions. These personnel allocations are determined by a number of factors including demographics, crime trends 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.