Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 400: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if increased resources will be given to community gardaí, the garda juvenile diversion programme and garda youth diversion projects to tackle anti-social behaviour. [15355/09]

Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Question 424: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his plans to use the additional capacity of An Garda Síochána to target communities experiencing significant anti social behaviour and crime; and if he will provide a practical example of same. [15487/09]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 400 and 424 together.

While work on finalising the detail of the Revised Estimates Volume is not yet completed, I can say that priority will continue to be given to resources, including overtime, for front-line policing duties. The focus across all areas of activity will, as always, be on intelligence led operations, high visibility patrolling and utilising our resources to the greatest effect to get the best results. I am satisfied that any measures which we take to ensure proper control of the public finances will recognise fully the need to preserve front line services.

I have been informed by the Garda Commissioner that the personnel strength of An Garda Síochána on 28 February, 2009, the latest date for which figures are readily available, was 14,371, with a further 1,043 students in training. Numbers are scheduled to reach a record high of almost 15,000 by the end of this year. The number of Community Gardaí on that date was 736.

The allocation of Garda resources, including personnel, is a matter in the first instance for the Garda Commissioner and senior Garda Officers. This allocation of personnel and other resources is determined by a number of factors including demographics, crime trends and other operational policing needs. Such allocations are continually monitored and reviewed along with overall policing arrangements and operational strategy. This ensures that optimum use is made of Garda resources and that the best possible service is provided to the public.

In January the Garda Commissioner and I launched a new National Model of Community Policing for An Garda Síochána. The concept of community policing is central to the Force's ability to deliver a professional, effective and responsive policing service. The Garda Juvenile Diversion Programme, operated by Garda Juvenile Liaison Officers, has proved to be highly successful in diverting young persons away from crime by offering guidance and support to juveniles and their families. It also enables referral to the Garda Youth Diversion Projects which are funded by the Youth Justice Service and are community-based, multi-agency crime prevention initiatives operating separately from the Diversion Programme. There are currently 100 of these projects operating in various locations throughout the country.

The primary focus is on ensuring the quality and effectiveness of the current services provided, and in this regard the Irish Youth Justice Service and the Garda Síochána are reviewing the effectiveness of the diversionary measures in use by the projects, so as to make best use of the resources available.