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Garda Stations.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 27 September 2006

Wednesday, 27 September 2006

Ceisteanna (258)

Cecilia Keaveney

Ceist:

305 Cecilia Keaveney asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform when the new 24 hour station for north Inishowen will be operational in view of the fact that the concept was embraced almost a year ago; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29039/06]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I have been informed by the Garda authorities that it is proposed to develop a New Area Headquarters at Carndonagh, Co. Donegal. A brief of requirements has been agreed and has been forwarded to the Office of Public Works. I understand that OPW is currently advertising for suitable sites in the local and national press.

I have been further informed by the Garda authorities, who are responsible for the detailed allocation of resources, including personnel that the personnel strength (all ranks) of An Garda Síochána increased to a record 12,762 on Friday 8 September with the attestation of 249 new members. This compares with a total strength of 10,702 (all ranks) as at 30 June, 1997 and represents an increase of 2,060 (or 19%) in the personnel strength of the Force during that period. The Garda Budget now stands at €1.3 billion, a 13% increase on 2005 and an 85% increase since 1997 in real terms.

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 three groups of newly attested Gardaí under this accelerated recruitment programme came on stream in March, June and September of this year and the fourth such group will become fully attested members of the Force later this year. 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 North Inishowen will be given the fullest consideration.

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