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Garda Deployment.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 28 October 2004

Thursday, 28 October 2004

Questions (297)

Joe Costello

Question:

297 Mr. Costello asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform how many of the 2,000 gardaí whom he proposes to recruit over the lifetime of the Government will be allocated to Garda stations (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26445/04]

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Written answers

I am pleased that the Government has approved my proposal to increase the strength of the Garda Síochána to 14,000 members on a phased basis in line with the commitment of An Agreed Programme for Government in this regard. This is a key commitment in the programme for Government, and its implementation will significantly strengthen the operational capacity of the Garda.

The commissioner will now draw up plans on how best to distribute and manage these resources. No decision regarding the allocation of the proposed increase in the strength of the force has been made to date.

Clearly, however, the additional resources will be targeted at the areas of greatest need, as is envisaged in the programme for Government. The programme identifies particular areas with a significant drugs problem and a large number of public order offences, but it will be possible to address other priorities as well, such as the need to increase significantly the number of gardaí allocated to traffic duties. I have already promised that the additional gardaí will not be put on administrative duties. They will be put directly into front-line, operational, high-visibility policing and will have a real impact.

Garda management will continue to appraise the policing and administrative strategy employed in the Dublin metropolitan region, DMR, with a view to ensuring that an effective Garda service is maintained. The situation will be kept under review by Garda management and when additional personnel next become available, the needs of Garda stations in the DMR will be fully considered within the overall context of the needs of Garda stations throughout the country.

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