Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
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Question 376: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if the proposed changes in the separation of the Kildare-Carlow division of the Garda will see an increase in the number of personnel in a station (details supplied) in County Kildare in view of the predicted increase of population of the town in recent town development plans; the number of all ranks of gardaí serving in the station; if any are seconded to other duties or stations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15209/08]

Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
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Question 377: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position of the division of the Carlow-Kildare division of the Garda into two separate divisions; if the separation will see a greater number of gardaí deployed to the stations in the new Kildare division in view of the increase in the population of the county over the past number of years; the number of gardaí of all ranks deployed in all of the stations in the Kildare section of the present division; if recent census figures will be used to determine the number of gardaí per head of population that is acceptable to such a population; the present ratio of gardaí to population; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15210/08]

Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 376 and 377 together.

As the Deputy is aware, I recently approved the 2008 Garda Annual Policing Plan and laid it before the Houses of the Oireachtas. It sets out the Commissioner's proposals to realign the boundaries of Garda Divisions around the country to make them coterminous with local authority boundaries. Included in this is a plan to establish a new Garda Division in Kildare. The planned changes will bring about greater efficiencies and effectiveness in facilitating the establishment and functioning of Joint Policing Committees. A detailed programme of work is currently being developed by An Garda Síochána to implement these planned changes for various Garda Divisions. This programme of work will also examine the geographical areas of district and sub-district stations arising from the regional and divisional boundary realignments set out in the plan and will set out a timetable for the establishment of the new divisions.

I am informed by the Garda Commissioner that resource allocation is currently under review and no final decision has been made on the matter. I am further informed by the Garda Commissioner that as of 31 March 2008, the latest date for which figures are readily available, the personnel strength of the Carlow/Kildare Garda Division was 408. The personnel strength of Athy Garda Station on the same date was 19. The Deputy will appreciate that, as with any large organisation, on any given day, personnel strengths of individual divisions and stations may fluctuate due, for example, to promotions, retirements and transfers.

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 public. The allocation of Garda personnel is determined by a number of factors including population, crime trends and the policing needs of each individual Division. It is the responsibility of the Garda Commissioner to allocate personnel throughout the Force taking everything into account. In that regard, the needs of Garda Stations throughout County Kildare will be fully considered by the Commissioner within the overall context of the needs of Garda Stations and Divisions throughout the country.