Michael Smith
Question:22 Mr. M. Smith asked the Minister for Justice her views on the Garda Commissioner's report on the five year corporate strategy policy document. [9764/96]
Written Answers. - Corporate Strategy Policy Document.
I received the Garda Commissioner's most recent report on the Corporate Strategy Policy Document 1993-1997 in February this year.
I am pleased to note the commissioner's observations that there have been many positive developments and successes during this period. In particular, the commissioner notes that developments such as the establishment of the Garda National Bureau of Fraud Investigation and the National Drugs Unit should be of immense value in tackling these areas of crime and I fully support his views in this regard. In addition, I welcome his observations on the introduction of modern technology to assist in the investigation of crime such as the acquisition of an automated fingerprints identification system and the provision of a closed circuit TV system in the Temple Bar area of Dublin.
The commissioner has expressed concern about the lack of progress in certain areas of the plan such as civilianisation, the mileage ceiling of the Garda fleet and the standard of official accommodation.
There are approximately 700 civilians employed in the Force. Further civilianisation has been slowed down because of restrictions on increasing staff numbers in the Civil Service. There has been a significant increase in expenditure over the period of the plan to date on the purchase of vehicles for the Garda fleet and on improving the standard of Garda accommodation.
On the issue of Garda accommodation, a very considerable investment has been made in carrying out improvements in recent years. In the two years 1995-96 in which I had an involvement as Minister in the provision of money for the Garda building programme some £17 million has been allocated. This year alone there is an allocation of nearly £9 million. This is an indication of my commitment to eliminating accommodation problems throughout the country. I look forward to further progress on the targets set in the corporate strategy policy document during its remaining lifespan.