Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 2 Apr 1996

Vol. 463 No. 6

Written Answers. - Garda Personnel.

Ivor Callely

Ceist:

49 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Justice if she has satisfied herself that the Garda Síochana has the personnel and resources necessary to meet the demands placed on it; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6954/96]

Minister for Justice (Mrs. Owen)

I am satisfied that the Garda Síochána has the personnel and resources necessary to meet the demands placed on them. However, this is something which must be kept under continuous review and changes made as necessary.

I am, for example, recruiting 350 gardaí this year and a further 350 gardaí in 1997. In addition, an Information Technology Plan for the force is being implemented at present at a cost of approximately £26 million. When implemented, this plan should result in the release of a significant number of gardaí from administrative tasks to perform outdoor policing duties. It should also provide improved management information so that more effective use can be made of Garda resources. As part of this development I inaugurated in January, a new £1.8 million computerised fingerprinting system for the Garda Síochána which is one of the most advanced fingerprinting systems in the world. This system will lead to an increase in crime detection rates.

In the past year I have undertaken a number of initiatives to ensure that the Garda have the means necessary to tackle crime. These include: a CCTV System which was established in the Temple Bar area of Dublin on a pilot basis and which is likely to be extended to other areas; a Garda National Drugs Unit was established in July 1995 under the control of a Deputy Commissioner; an increase in the number of Youth Diversion Projects in operation in urban areas from two to seven throughout the country; additional funding to enable the Garda transport fleet to be replaced in a five year cycle; a regional command structure which was created in January this year. This was the first major change to the organisational structure of the force since the foundation of the State. The reorganisation of the force on a regional basis will provide for a much more co-ordinated and cohesive approach in tackling, on an operational basis, all facets of crime, particularly mobile criminals.

Finally, I have under review at present the question of providing enhanced air support to the Garda Síochána.