Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Question 495: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the way the pre-budget 2008 outlook as published will impact on the functioning of An Garda Síochána, on Garda manpower, on Garda overtime and the number of individual operations that will carried out under Operation Anvil; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26211/07]

Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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The pre-budget outlook allocation for 2008 for An Garda Síochána is €1.522 billion representing an increase of €110 million or 8% over the 2007 budget allocation of €1.412 billion. This allocation is published in advance of any changes or additions to be announced on budget day by the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance. I am currently finalising our policing priorities with the Garda Commissioner for 2008 and, as I outlined to the Dáil in the recent debate on crime, specific emphasis will be placed on gun crime, organised crime and drug trafficking. One of the key ways this will be done is through targeted operations such as Operation Anvil. I am confident that the total resources that will be at the disposal of the Commissioner in 2008 will allow him to continue high level prioritised policing operations such as Operation Anvil as well as other operational priorities that need to be funded through overtime. The current Programme for Government re-affirms the commitment to increase Garda strength to 15,000, with a target date of 2010. In addition, there is a significant expansion under way in the number of civilian staff being made available to the Commissioner. This Government and I are committed to continue resourcing the Force so that it can meet the challenges it faces into the future.