Joe McHugh (Donegal North East, Fine Gael)
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Question 120: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the steps he is taking to ensure adequate Garda presence at the Border following another example of dissident activity; and the further steps he is taking to ensure that towns on the outskirts of large cities such as Derry city are given adequate Garda resources in view of persons engaged in criminal activity using the Border to their advantage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20724/08]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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I am informed by the Garda Commissioner that the policing of the border area is constantly monitored and reviewed by senior Garda Management and their Regional Management Team. These reviews cover crime analysis, crime trends, policing requirements and resource allocation.

An Garda Síochána in co-operation with the Police Service of Northern Ireland is engaging in high-visibility policing along the border. Additional patrols by uniform and plain-clothes personnel have been put in place. Furthermore, initiatives under Operation 'Anvil' have also been put in place to target those involved in criminality, particularly with a cross-border element. The level of threat from dissident groups is also constantly monitored and assessed.

The allocation of Garda personnel is determined by a number of factors including population, crime trends and the policing needs of each Division.

The next allocation of Probationer Gardaí will take place on the 13th of June 2008. The needs of all Garda Divisions, including all Border areas, will be fully considered by the Garda Commissioner in this allocation within the overall context of the needs of Garda Divisions throughout the country.

The Commissioner in his Annual Policing Plan 2008 proposes establishing some new Garda divisions, the boundaries of which will be coterminous with local authority boundaries. The reason for these changes is to facilitate both local Garda management and local authority management in the management of Joint Policing Committee as provided for under Section 22(1) of the Garda Síochána Act 2005.

As part of the boundary realignment project, the Commissioner is creating a Division of County Louth to make it coterminous with the local authority boundary. County Louth Division will become part of the Northern Region and will fall within the remit of Assistant Commissioner, Northern Region. This will more easily facilitate dialogue with the Police Service of Northern Ireland on matters of a policing nature.