Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 27 February 2007
264 Mr. Eoin Ryan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of Gardaí stationed in the areas of Tallaght, Rathfarnham and Terenure, each year, from 1997 to date in 2007. [7545/07]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have been 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 13,000 following the attestation of 299 new members on Thursday, 16 November, 2006. This compares with a total strength of 10,702 (all ranks) as at 30 June, 1997 and represents an increase of 2,298 (or 21.5%) in the personnel strength of the Force during that period. The combined strength (all ranks), of both attested Gardaí and recruits in training as at the 31 December 2006 was 14,068. Furthermore, I should say that in December, 2006 as part of a package of anti-crime measures, the Government approved the continuation of the existing Garda recruitment programme to achieve a total Garda strength of 15,000. The accelerated intake of approximately 1,100 new recruits per annum into the Garda College will continue until this target is met. The Garda Budget now stands at €1.4 billion, an 11% increase on 2006 and a 96% increase since 1997 in real terms.
I have been further informed by the Garda authorities that the number of Gardaí stationed in Tallaght, Rathfarnham and Terenure Garda Stations on 31 December, 1997 to 2006 and on 31 January, 2007 was as set out in the following table:
|
Tallaght |
Rathfarnham |
Terenure |
|
|
31/12/97 |
133 |
63 |
49 |
|
31/12/98 |
139 |
57 |
46 |
|
31/12/99 |
142 |
63 |
60 |
|
31/12/00 |
159 |
63 |
67 |
|
31/12/01 |
159 |
67 |
66 |
|
31/12/02 |
159 |
74 |
84 |
|
31/12/03 |
166 |
71 |
87 |
|
31/12/04 |
173 |
76 |
91 |
|
31/12/05 |
167 |
70 |
97 |
|
31/12/06 |
178 |
72 |
98 |
|
31/01/07 |
177 |
72 |
101 |
|
Increase since 31/12/97 |
44 (or 33%) |
9 (or 14%) |
52 (or 106%) |
I should add that it is the responsibility of Garda management to allocate personnel to and within Divisions. These personnel allocations are determined by a number of factors including demographics, crime trends 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.
