Tony Gregory (Dublin Central, Independent)
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Question 183: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if there are plans to increase in 2007 the number of gardaí and community gardaí in the Cabra Garda Station covering the Cabra and Navan Road districts in view of the many requests made by the local communities for greater Garda visibility in the area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14800/07]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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I am 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.

Cabra Garda Station forms part of the Dublin Metropolitan Region, Western Division. The personnel strength (all ranks) of Dublin Metropolitan Region, Western Division as at 19 April 2007 was 730. The personnel strength of Cabra Garda Station (all ranks) as at 19 April 2007 was 71. The personnel strength (all ranks) of the Community Policing Unit as at 19 April 2007 was 7.

Community Policing is a central feature of current policing policy and members of Community policing units are encouraged to engage with the local communities where they are assigned. Current policing policy is predicated on the prevention of public order offences, the prevention of crime including crimes of violence against persons and property and the maintenance of an environment conducive to the improvement of quality of life of the residents. This strategy is, and will continue to be, central to the delivery of a quality policing service. All Gardaí have a responsibility, inter alia, to be involved in Community Policing issues as they arise.

It is the responsibility of the Divisional Officer to allocate personnel within their Division. Garda personnel assigned throughout the country, together with overall policing arrangements and operational strategy, are continually monitored and reviewed. Such monitoring ensures that optimum use is made of Garda resources, and the best possible Garda service is provided to the general public.

However, the situation will be kept under review and when additional personnel next become available the needs of Cabra Garda Station in the Dublin Metropolitan Region, Western Division will be fully considered within the overall context of the needs of Garda Divisions throughout the country.