Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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Question 103: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his views on the claims made at the recent conference (details supplied) that cutbacks in the Garda force were hampering garda response to calls for help from the public. [15588/09]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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There has been a very considerable increase in garda resources in recent years, with the number of attested members rising from 10,968 at the end of 1997 to 11,895 at the end of 2002, to 13,755 at the end of 2007 and to 14,371 in the most recent figures. Even in this year of budgetary constraints, some 900 student Gardai will become attested which, taking into account projected retirements, will further increase the strength of the Force to 14,900 by the end of this year.

The number of civilian support staff, expressed as a whole time equivalent figure, has also increased in recent years from 1,688 at the end of 2007 to 2,133 in the most recent figures.

The budget for overtime in the Garda Síochána for 2009 has been reduced from a record provision in 2008, but is still a substantial €80 million, which includes an increase in the allocation for Operation Anvil from €20million to €21million.

These significant increases in Garda resources mean that the Force is well-placed to absorb the impact of budgetary constraints and to continue to provide a top-class policing service.