Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 20 March 2007
227 Mr. Blaney asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the strength of the Garda force employed in County Donegal by location; the increase in Garda numbers in this division between 1997, 2002 and 31 December 2006 and in which Garda stations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9930/07]
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 13,178 following the attestation of 273 new members on Wednesday 14 March, 2007. This compares with a total strength of 10,702 (all ranks) on 30 June, 1997 and represents an increase of 2,476 (or over 23%) in the personnel strength of the Force during that period. The combined strength (all ranks), of both attested Gardaí and recruits in training on 14 March, 2007 was 14,258. Furthermore, I should say that on 19 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 personnel strength of the Donegal Division by station on 31 December, 1997, 2002, 2006 and 15 March, 2007 was as set out in the table.
|
Station |
31/12/97 |
31/12/02 |
31/12/06 |
15/03/07 |
|
Annagry |
1 |
2 |
2 |
2 |
|
Ardara |
3 |
3 |
3 |
3 |
|
Ballintra |
3 |
1 |
2 |
2 |
|
Ballybofey |
20 |
24 |
21 |
21 |
|
Ballyshannon |
35 |
31 |
36 |
35 |
|
Brocach |
2 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
|
Bunbeag |
6 |
5 |
7 |
7 |
|
Buncrana |
36 |
34 |
51 |
51 |
|
Bundoran |
14 |
12 |
12 |
12 |
|
Burnfoot |
21 |
18 |
12 |
12 |
|
Burtonport |
3 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
|
Carndonagh |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
|
Carrick |
2 |
2 |
2 |
2 |
|
Carrigans |
12 |
8 |
5 |
5 |
|
Carrigart |
3 |
3 |
3 |
3 |
|
Castlefin |
18 |
4 |
3 |
3 |
|
Churchill |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
|
Clonmany |
2 |
3 |
2 |
2 |
|
Clougher |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
|
Convoy |
2 |
4 |
3 |
3 |
|
Craosloch |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
|
Culdaff |
1 |
1 |
- |
1 |
|
Doochary |
1 |
1 |
- |
- |
|
Donegal Town |
29 |
34 |
32 |
32 |
|
Dunfanaghy |
2 |
2 |
4 |
4 |
|
Dungloe |
5 |
6 |
9 |
8 |
|
Dunkineely |
3 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
|
Falcarragh |
6 |
6 |
6 |
6 |
|
Gleann Cholmcille |
1 |
2 |
1 |
0 |
|
Glenties |
19 |
21 |
22 |
23 |
|
Kerrykeel |
3 |
3 |
2 |
2 |
|
Kilmacrennan |
2 |
2 |
2 |
2 |
|
Letterkenny |
90 |
92 |
119 |
121 |
|
Lifford |
22 |
15 |
15 |
14 |
|
Malin |
2 |
3 |
3 |
7 |
|
Milford |
18 |
20 |
24 |
25 |
|
Mountcharles |
3 |
3 |
2 |
2 |
|
Moville |
9 |
9 |
9 |
9 |
|
Muff |
2 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
|
Na Cealla Beaga |
6 |
6 |
7 |
7 |
|
Newtowncunningham |
3 |
3 |
2 |
2 |
|
Pettigo |
13 |
4 |
1 |
1 |
|
Ramelton |
3 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
|
Raphoe |
5 |
7 |
4 |
4 |
|
Rathmullen |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
|
Total |
440 |
416 |
448 |
453 |
The personnel strength of the Donegal Division on 31 December, 1997 and 15 March, 2007 was 440 and 453 (all ranks) respectively. This represents an increase of 13 (or 2.9%) in the number of personnel allocated since that date.
The Deputy should appreciate that, as with any large organisation, on any given day, personnel strengths of individual stations and units may fluctuate due, for example, to promotions, retirements and transfers. Resources are further augmented by a number of Garda National Units such as the Garda National Drugs Unit, the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB), other specialised units and the Criminal Assets Bureau (CAB), all of which have had increased resources.
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.
