Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 30 November 2004
434 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform further to Question No. 1135 of 29 September 2004, when he intends to address the vacancies in the Roscommon and east Galway division; andif he will make a statement on the matter. [31132/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have been informed by the Garda authorities responsible for the detailed allocation of resources, including personnel, that two gardaí are due to be allocated to fill the vacancies in the divisional traffic unit at Roscommon Garda station with effect from 8 of December 2004.
With regard to Garda resources generally, I am pleased that the Government has approved my proposal to increase the strength of the Garda Síochána to 14,000 members on a phased basis, thereby honouring the commitment in An Agreed Programme for Government in this regard. This is a key commitment in the programme for Government and its implementation will significantly strengthen the operational capacity of the force. The commissioner will now be drawing up plans on how best to distribute and manage these resources.
The additional resources will be targeted at the areas of greatest need, as envisaged in the programme for Government. The programme identifies, in particular, areas with significant drugs problems and a large number of public order offences but it will be possible to address other priorities as well, such as the need to significantly increase the number of gardaí allocated to duties as part of the new Garda traffic corps. I have already promised that the additional gardaí will not be put on administrative duties. Theywill be put directly into frontline, operational, high-visibility policing and will have a real impact.
There will be an intake of almost 1,100 new recruits per year in each of the next three years. The advertisement campaign for this first tranche of 1,100 recruits was launched on Thursday, 25 November 2004.
