Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 16 November 2006
87 Mr. Bruton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of specially adapted high visibility and high powered vehicles in operation in December 2005, March 2006 and September 2006; and the expected number in operation by year ending 2006. [38420/06]
View answerI have been informed by the Garda authorities, who are responsible for the detailed allocation of resources, including personnel, that the personnel strength (all ranks) of An Garda Síochána increased to a record 12,762 on Friday, 8 September, 2006, following the attestation of 249 new members. This compares with a total strength of 10,702 (all ranks) as at 30 June, 1997 and represents an increase of 2,060 (or 19%) in the personnel strength of the Force during that period. The induction of 280 new Garda recruits to the Garda College on 6 November, 2006 has resulted in a combined strength, of both attested Gardaí and recruits in training, of 14,137. The Garda Budget now stands at €1.3 billion, a 13% increase on 2005 and an 85% increase since 1997 in real terms.
I have been further informed by the Garda authorities that the number of High Visibility Specially Adapted Vehicles is as set out in the following table:
|
Date |
No. of Vehicles |
|
December 2005 |
170 |
|
March 2006 |
184 |
|
September 2006 |
184 |
|
Projected end of year |
200 |
