Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 13 June 2006
322 Mr. Deasy asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of Gardaí who have applied for transfer in Waterford City and Waterford County in each of the past five years; and the details of where they requested to be transferred from and to. [22366/06]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have been informed by the Garda Commissioner that the personnel strength (all ranks) of An Garda Síochána rose to a record 12,641 on 8 June 2006 with the attestation of 273 new members. This compares with a total strength of 10,702 (all ranks) as at 30 June 1997 and represents an increase of 1,939 (or 18.1%) in the personnel strength of the Force during that period.
I have been further informed that the personnel strength of the Waterford/Kilkenny Division as at 9 June 2006 was 367 Gardaí (all ranks). The personnel strength of Waterford/Kilkenny Garda Division as at 31 December 1997 was 306 (all ranks). This represents a very sizeable increase of 61 (or 20%) in the number of personnel allocated to the Waterford/Kilkenny Division since that date, including an additional 13 Probationer Gardaí allocated to the Division in conjunction with the most recent allocation of Probationer Gardaí on 9 June 2006.
Garda management state that there are currently 14 Gardaí (all ranks) seeking a transfer out of the Waterford/Kilkenny Division. Where Gardaí are transferred out of a Division, replacements are provided for by way of allocation of Probationer Gardaí or inter-divisional transfers. Garda management further state that the information on total numbers of transfers sought in the past five years, and on where such members requested to be transferred to and from, is not readily available in the detail sought and can only be obtained by the disproportionate expenditure of Garda time and resources.
It is the responsibility of Garda management to allocate personnel to and within Divisions on a priority basis in accordance with the requirements of different areas. These personnel allocations are determined by a number of factors including demographics, crime trends, administrative functions and other operational policing needs. Such allocations are continually monitored and reviewed along with overall policing arrangements and operational strategy. This ensures that optimum use is made of Garda resources, and that the best possible service is provided to the public.
I should add that the current recruitment drive to increase the strength of the Garda Síochána to 14,000 members, in line with the commitment in the Agreed Programme for Government, is fully on target. This will lead to a combined strength, of both attested Gardaí and recruits in training, of 14,000 by the end of this year. The first group of newly attested Gardaí under this accelerated recruitment programme came on stream in March and the second such group did so on the 8th of June. Further tranches of approximately 275 newly attested Gardaí will follow every 90 days thereafter until the programme is complete.
The Garda Commissioner will now be drawing up plans on how best to distribute and manage these additional resources, and in this context the needs of Co. Waterford will be given the fullest consideration.
323 Mr. Deasy asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if, in view of the fact that Waterford City and County have the lowest levels of Garda Síochána of any urban area, a disproportionate amount of new recruits will be allocated to the Waterford area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22371/06]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have been informed by the Garda Commissioner that the personnel strength (all ranks) of An Garda Síochána rose to a record 12,641 on 8 June 2006 with the attestation of 273 new members. This compares with a total strength of 10,702 (all ranks) as at 30 June 1997 and represents an increase of 1,939 (or 18.1%) in the personnel strength of the Force during that period.
I have been further informed that the personnel strength of the Waterford/Kilkenny Division as at 9th June 2006 was 367 Gardaí (all ranks). The personnel strength of Waterford/Kilkenny Garda Division as at 31st of December 1997 was 306 (all ranks). This represents a very sizeable increase of 61 (or 20%) in the number of personnel allocated to the Waterford/Kilkenny Division since that date, including an additional 13 Probationer Gardaí allocated to the Division in conjunction with the most recent allocation of Probationer Gardaí on the 9th of June 2006.
It is the responsibility of Garda management to allocate personnel to and within Divisions on a priority basis in accordance with the requirements of different areas. These personnel allocations are determined by a number of factors including demographics, crime trends, administrative functions and other operational policing needs. Such allocations are continually monitored and reviewed along with overall policing arrangements and operational strategy. This ensures that optimum use is made of Garda resources, and that the best possible service is provided to the public.
The Garda authorities advise that the Assistant Commissioner, Human Resource Management, in consultation with Divisional Officers, arranges for the allocation of Garda personnel throughout the State. The Assistant Commissioner is aided in this regard by a model known as the Garda Establishment Redistribution Model which is a scientific, rational and pragmatic model and is the most effective means of distributing Garda personnel.
I should add that the current recruitment drive to increase the strength of the Garda Síochána to 14,000 members, in line with the commitment in the Agreed Programme for Government, is fully on target. This will lead to a combined strength, of both attested Gardaí and recruits in training, of 14,000 by the end of this year. The first group of newly attested Gardaí under this accelerated recruitment programme came on stream in March and the second such group did so on the 8th of June. Further tranches of approximately 275 newly attested Gardaí will follow every 90 days thereafter until the programme is complete.
The Garda Commissioner will now be drawing up plans on how best to distribute and manage these additional resources, and in this context the needs of the Waterford/Kilkenny Division will be given the fullest consideration.
