Vol. 549 No. 2
163 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the extent to which policing levels here compare with other jurisdictions such as the UK, France and the US; the extent to which Garda levels per 1,000 of population are on a par with those in other jurisdictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6236/02]
I am informed by the Garda authorities that based on 1996 figures, which are the most recent ones available, the ratio of population to police officer in the EU averaged 308 people per police officer. The figure for Ireland at that time was 328 but, given the significant increase in the strength of the Garda Síochána since that date, the figure is now estimated to be 307 people per police officer.
The following table sets out population per police officer in each member state of the EU (1996 figures):
|
Member State |
No. of population perpolice officer |
|
EU average |
308 |
|
Greece |
322 |
|
Portugal |
228 |
|
Italy |
239 |
|
France |
253 |
|
Austria |
287 |
|
Spain |
309 |
|
Belgium |
312 |
|
Ireland |
328 |
|
Luxembourg |
354 |
|
Germany |
367 |
|
UK |
372 |
|
Sweden |
500 |
|
Netherlands |
503 |
|
Denmark |
522 |
|
Finland |
800 |
164 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if increases in Garda strength over the past number of years are sufficient to meet demands led by increases in the population; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6237/02]
Last November, I announced that I had approved the holding of a Garda recruitment competition early this year to recruit an additional 300 Garda trainees. The current Garda strength of 11,773 is the highest in the history of the State. The strength of the force was 10,818 on 31 December 1996. Recruitment already under way will bring Garda strength up to a record high of 12,000 by the end of 2002 and the recruitment of these additional 300 Garda trainees will ensure that Garda strength is maintained at that level.
The commitment of a 12,000 strong force is a key priority for the Government. It is a clear sign that the Government is delivering on its commitments to give the Garda Síochána the necessary resources to enforce the law, clamp down on anti-social behaviour and fight crime.
