Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 28 Jun 2000

Vol. 522 No. 3

Written Answers. - Garda Strength.

Noel Ahern

Ceist:

220 Mr. N. Ahern asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of gardaí, all ranks, for each of the past ten years serving nationally and serving in the Dublin area; the plans and projections for the next few years in relation to numbers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18759/00]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. O'Donoghue):

The Garda authorities, who are responsible for the detailed allocation of garda personnel and resources, have informed me that the number of personnel, all ranks, serving in the Garda Síochána nationally for each of the past ten years is as follows:

Year	Strength
1990	10,601
1991	10,786
1992	10,984
1993	10,892
1994	10,838
1995	10,825
1996	10,817
1997	10,968
1998	11,235
1999	11,458

I am also advised that the number of gardaí, all ranks, serving in each operational division within the Dublin area as at 31 December for each of the past ten years is as follows:

Year	Strength
1990	3,283
1991	3,380
1992	3,390
1993	3,428
1994	3,467
1995	3,553
1996	3,529
1997	3,401
1998	3,412
1999	3,458

Since I have taken office, I have accelerated recruitment and Garda numbers have increased by approximately 600. We are on target to meet the commitment in the programme for Government to increase the strength of the Garda Síochána to 12,000, the highest ever in the history of the State, by the year 2002.