Ciara Conway (Waterford, Labour)
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Question 193: To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality in each of the years between 2007 and 2011, the number of full-time gardaí who were stationed in areas (details supplied); the number of gardaí based in these areas that are likely to retire in 2012; the number of these gardaí who will not be replaced once they have retired in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3004/12]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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I am informed by the Garda authorities that the personnel strength of An Garda Síochána assigned to each Garda District in the Waterford Garda Division in the years referred to by the Deputy and as at the latest date for which figures are readily available, is set out in the following table.

* 2007 and 2008 figures take account of boundary changes

I am further informed that the number of Gardaí who have applied to retire on a voluntary basis from the Waterford Division during 2012 is 7 (2 Sergeants and 5 Gardaí). The allocation of all resources, including personnel, is a matter for the Garda Commissioner in consultation with his senior management. Garda Management closely monitors the allocation of resources in the context of crime trends, policing needs and other operational strategies in place on a District, Divisional and Regional level, to ensure optimum use is made of Garda resources, and the best possible Garda service is provided to the public.

Notwithstanding this, there is no getting away from the reality that public expenditure and public service numbers have to be reduced in the context of the agreement with the EU and the IMF. I am determined that this will be accompanied by real and substantive reform, reform which will make the delivery of public services more efficient and cost-effective. Our Programme for National Recovery recognises that a key objective of this reform is the protection of frontline services, and I regard that as a priority for the Garda Síochána.