Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 25 November 2004
196 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the reason 17 fewer gardaí are stationed in Finglas garda station compared to numbers for 1999; the further reason an overall expansion of Garda numbers and an escalation in crime and criminal activity in the area has led to a fall in the number of gardaí stationed at Finglas garda station; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30748/04]
View answerI have been informed by the Garda authorities who are responsible for the detailed allocation of resources including personnel that the personnel strength of Finglas Garda station as at 25 November 2004 was 73, all ranks. In addition, two probationer gardaí are due to be allocated to Finglas Garda station on 26 November 2004. The personnel strength of Finglas Garda station as at 1 January 1999 and as at 1 June 1999 was 83, all ranks, and 84, all ranks, respectively.
I am further advised that Finglas Garda station forms part of the Dublin metropolitan region west division. The personnel strength of the Dublin metropolitan region west division as at 25 November 2004 was 641, all ranks. The personnel strength of the Dublin metropolitan region west division as at 1 January 1999 was 542, all ranks. This represents an increase of 99, or 18.27%, in the number of personnel allocated to the Dublin metropolitan region west division since that date. An additional 22 probationer gardaí are due to be allocated to the Dublin metropolitan region west division on 26 November 2004, which includes the two probationer gardaí due to be allocated to Finglas Garda station.
It is the responsibility of the divisional officer to allocate personnel within his or her division to ensure that the optimum use is made of the existing resources within the division. In this regard, I am advised that Operation Crossover, a dedicated policing operation is currently in place in DMR west to counteract criminal activity.
In relation to Garda resources generally, I am very pleased to say 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 a commitment in 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 force. The Commissioner will be drawing up plans on how best to distribute and manage these resources. 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 in 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 significantly increase 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 frontline, operational, high-visibility policing. They will have a real impact.
In each of the next three years there will be a intake of almost 1,100 new recruits. The advertisement campaign for this first trench of 1,100 recruits was launched today.
