Dinny McGinley (Donegal South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 207: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if his attention has been drawn to the incidents in border areas of County Donegal, including Lifford, Killygordon and Muff, where serious acts of criminality have taken place in recent times; if he is satisfied that adequate resources have been allocated to the Garda in east Donegal to deal with these recurring incidents; the steps being taken to counteract the spread of these incidents; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15538/08]

Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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The Deputy will appreciate that it would not be helpful for me to comment on the specific details of operations and initiatives put in place by the Garda to combat dissident activities. The Garda is aware of the incidents referred to and are satisfied that sufficient resources are available if required. Due to the proximity to the border with Northern Ireland, An Garda Síochána, in co-operation with the PSNI, is engaging in high visibility policing along the border to deter such incidents.

While the allocation of resources to specific Garda Divisions is a matter for the Garda Commissioner, I understand that as at 31 March 2008, the personnel strength of the combined Letterkenny and Buncrana Garda districts, within which the areas referred to are located, totalled 278. On the same date the personnel strength of the combined Donegal Divisiontotalled 479. In addition to existing Garda levels, the accelerated intake of 1,100 new recruits per annum is on course to meet the Government's current recruitment target and will, I believe, help to bolster the efficacy of the entire Force including the East Donegal Division.