Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 484: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his plans to extend the opening hours of various Garda stations throughout the country with particular reference to areas of increased crime or anti-social behaviour; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22858/07]

Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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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 as at the 31 August, 2007 was 13,288.

The opening hours of Garda Stations is a matter for the Garda Commissioner but a general point which should be borne in mind is that an extension in the opening hours of any particular Garda Station would necessitate the employment of additional Garda personnel on indoor administrative duties who may be more effectively employed on outdoor policing duties.

Garda personnel assignments throughout the country, together with overall policing arrangements and operational strategy, are continually monitored and reviewed by Garda Management. The purpose of such monitoring is to ensure that optimum use is made of Garda resources and that the best possible Garda service is provided to the general public.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 485: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the extent to which staffing levels have been increased at various Garda stations in Dublin City and County and the adjoining counties in the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22859/07]

Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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I am informed by the Garda Commissioner that the personnel strength in all stations in the Dublin Metropolitan Region, the Carlow/Kildare Division, the Wexford/ Wicklow Division and the Louth/Meath Division over the past five years and as at 31 August, 2007, the latest date for which figures are readily available, is as follows:

The Deputy will appreciate that, as with any large organisation, on any given day the strength of the organisation, or units within it, may fluctuate due, for example, to retirements, resignations etc. It is the responsibility of the Garda Divisional Officer to allocate personnel within his or her Division taking everything into account. The situation will be kept under review by the Garda Commissioner and when additional personnel next become available the needs of these Divisions will be fully considered by him within the overall context of the needs of Garda Divisions throughout the country.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 486: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will ensure the provision of extra Gardaí to provide for the extended opening hours at the various Garda stations throughout County Kildare with particular reference to the need to ensure increased Garda presence in order to deter crime; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22860/07]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 487: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of Gardaí available at each Garda station through County Kildare on a daily or nightly basis; his plans to increase such numbers in order to combat crime; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22861/07]

Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 486 and 487 together.

As of 31 August 2007, the latest date for which Garda numbers are readily available, the personnel strength of the Carlow/Kildare Division was 393. The personnel strength in the Division as on 31 August 2006 was 358. This represents an increase of 35 Gardaí in the twelve month period.

The following table shows the strength of Gardaí in the Carlow/Kildare Division broken down by Station as of 31 August 2007:

The opening hours of Garda Stations is a matter for the Garda Commissioner but a general point which should be borne in mind is that an extension in the opening hours of any particular Garda Station would necessitate the employment of additional Garda personnel on indoor administrative duties who may be more effectively employed on outdoor policing duties.

The situation will be kept under review by the Garda Commissioner and when additional personnel next become available the needs of the Carlow/Kildare Division will be fully considered by him within the overall context of the needs of Garda Divisions throughout the country. The Deputy will appreciate that, as with any large organisation, on any given day the strength of the organisation, or units within it, may fluctuate due, for example, to retirements, resignations etc. It is the responsibility of the Garda Divisional Officer to allocate personnel within his or her Division taking everything into account. The situation will be kept under review by the Garda Commissioner and when additional personnel next become available the needs of these Divisions will be fully considered by him within the overall context of the needs of Garda Divisions throughout the country.