I am informed by the Garda authorities, which are responsible for the detailed allocation of resources including personnel, that the personnel strength in all ranks of each of the six operational Garda divisions in the Dublin metropolitan region as at 21 November 2005 is as set out in the following table. Of course, the greater Dublin area now extends into areas which are the responsibility of the Louth-Meath, Carlow-Kildare or Wexford-Wicklow divisions. I am advised that for security and operational reasons, it is not Garda policy to disclose the number of personnel working in any particular area over any specific period of time. Garda management will continue to monitor and appraise the policing and administrative strategy employed throughout the Dublin metropolitan region with a view to ensuring that an effective Garda service is maintained.
Regarding Garda resources generally, the accelerated recruitment campaign to reach a record force strength of 14,000, in line with the commitment in An Agreed Programme for Government, is fully on target. This will lead to a combined strength, of both attested gardaí and recruits in training, of 14,000 by the end of 2006. The Garda Commissioner will now draw up plans on how best to distribute and manage these additional resources, and in this context the needs of the Dublin metropolitan region will be fully considered within the overall context of the needs of Garda areas throughout the country.
Division
|
Strength
|
DMR East
|
567
|
DMR North Central
|
663
|
DMR North
|
623
|
DMR South Central
|
724
|
DMR South
|
577
|
DMR West
|
694
|