Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
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Question 323: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the criteria that determine the allocation of community gardaí to an area; if it is as a percentage of population, the number of gardaí attached to a station or the status of the station; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6223/10]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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The allocation of Garda resources, including the distribution of personnel, is a matter for the Garda Commissioner and senior Garda management. They are aided in this by a distribution model which indicates the most effective means of distributing Garda personnel and acts as a guide to Garda management decision making. It takes into account different policing variables, including crime trends, socioeconomic factors, and census information.

Policing in local communities, either rural or urban, is a matter for all Gardaí and not just those assigned to the role of community policing. It is worth noting, however, that the number of Gardaí exclusively assigned to community policing has increased considerably in recent times. The figures available at the end of 2009 show that there are 1,058 members of the Garda Síochána specifically assigned to community policing, out of a total attested strength of 14,547. By comparison, at the end of 2007, 630 members were assigned to community policing, and the present number represents an increase of almost 68% on that figure.

All members who are assigned to community policing operate on a full-time basis. These members are specifically tasked with the duty of liaising with communities within their policing Districts. The new Garda Síochána National Model of Community Policing was launched early in 2009. This new model is about renewing, re-invigorating and re-structuring the community policing function within the Garda Síochána to deliver a consistent national structure to the community policing function; a more coordinated and efficient Garda service to the community; and the spread of good practices and quality service in community policing on a national basis. The national strategies for Neighbourhood Watch and Community Alert, both of which were launched in 2007, will also inform the organisation on how best to implement future crime prevention programmes and community policing programmes.

A National Community Policing Office has been established within Garda Community Relations Section to develop and oversee the implementation programme. The model is being rolled out nationwide in line with an action plan which has been developed for implementation. Training is ongoing and it is intended that every District Officer throughout the country will take ownership of community policing within his or her area of responsibility. The Garda Síochána National Model of Community Policing Report is available on the Garda website www.garda.ie.

Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
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Question 324: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of community gardaí attached to the new Kildare division of An Garda Síochána; the stations that they are attached to; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6231/10]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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I regret that the information requested by the Deputy is not readily to hand. I will write to the Deputy as soon as it is available.

Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
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Question 325: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he is satisfied that gardaí will provide proper services to a town (details supplied) in County Kildare in view of the fact that the Garda complement of numbers as allocated for the specific area is short a sergeant and five gardaí due to retirements, promotions, transfers and so on; if the embargo will be lifted to provide the replacements to ensure a full complement of staff for the area to overcome the undue stress that is being placed on the present staff due to such shortages; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6238/10]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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The allocation of Garda resources, including the distribution of personnel, is a matter for the Garda Commissioner and senior Garda management. They are aided in this by a distribution model which indicates the most effective means of distributing Garda personnel and acts as a guide to Garda management decision making. It takes into account different policing variables, including crime trends, socioeconomic factors, and census information.

The Deputy will be aware that I recently secured sanction from the Minister for Finance for a significant derogation from the moratorium on recruitment and appointments in the public service. The Commissioner is in the process of organising competitions from which successful candidates will be promoted to fill vacancies in the force and it is expected that this will be completed as soon as is practicable. In relation to the specific issue raised by the Deputy, this will be taken into account by Garda Management when they are considering the distribution of resources in the area in question.