The Deputy is aware that I have increased Garda numbers in the past three years by 600 members and am on course to meet the Government target of a Garda strength of 12,000 by the year 2002. While I, as Minister, am responsible for providing additional Garda personnel, their detailed allocation to an individual area is a matter for the Garda authorities.
I am informed, in this regard, that the allocation of Garda personnel and resources to an individual area is carried out with due regard for a number of factors in the various Garda districts throughout the country. The following factors have particular relevance in assisting with the efficient and equitable allocation of Garda personnel resources: population, geographical area, crimes reported per annum, number of road traffic accidents involving personal injury, number of stolen cars received and depreciation indicators. While the above factors have particular relevance in assisting with the efficient and equitable allocation of personnel, different Garda districts have differing attendant sources of the above variables and it is the overall balance of these, and not individual indicators taken in isolation, which prescribe the recommended allocation of available resources.
