Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 203: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of gardaí who will be devoted to community policing in the Dublin region by the end of December 2008; the number at the end of December 2007; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47504/08]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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I have been informed by the Garda Commissioner that the personnel strength of the Community Gardaí in the Dublin Metropolitan Region on 31 December 2007 and on 30 November 2008, the latest date for which figures are readily available, was as set out in the table:

As with any large organisation, on any given day, the overall strength of the organisation may fluctuate due, for example, to retirements, resignations etc. Specifically, the reduction in Community Gardaí in the DMR Division is as a result of the re-alignment of the Bray District to the Wicklow Division. It is the responsibility of the Garda Divisional Officer to allocate personnel within his or her Division taking everything into account. Notwithstanding this, all Gardaí have responsibility, inter alia, to deal with Community Policing issues as and when they arise.

It is the responsibility of the Garda Commissioner to allocate personnel throughout the Force taking everything into account. The situation will be kept under review and when additional personnel next become available the allocation of Community Gardaí will be fully considered by the Commissioner within the overall context of policing requirements throughout the country.