Garda: The extension of Operation Anvil throughout the State and the purchase of a fleet of specially adapted high-powered Garda cars for traffic duty are among the additional measures proposed in an increased allocation of resources to the Garda Síochána.
There is also provision, for the first time, for a Garda reserve, which will see an intake into the voluntary force of 900 people next year. Priority will be given to retired members of the force.
The Estimates also provide €1 million for equipment and uniforms. The force will see a 13 per cent rise in its resources next year, up from €1.1 billion to €1.246 billion, according to the Minister for Justice, Michael McDowell.
This includes provision for the continued recruitment of 2,000 extra members in 2006, bringing the force to a combined strength – between members of the force and recruits in training – of 14,000 by the year end.
There will be an increase in Garda overtime of €23 million, to €83.5 million, much of which will be targeted at organised crime and drug crime. Of the overtime budget, €5 million will go on public order and visible policing. The existing analogue Garda radio system will be replaced by a digital network.
The civilianisation programme will be accelerated, freeing 300 desk-bound gardaí for outdoor frontline policing duties. This will be partly achieved by the transfer of some staff working in Castlebar for the Department of Agriculture to working for the Garda Commissioner.
The Garda Traffic Corps will be increased from 530 to 805, with a further increase in 2007 to bring the corps to over 1,000. Some of the additional overtime provision will go on the traffic corps, which will also see an investment of €3 million on road traffic equipment such as speed cameras. There will also be more proactive Garda management of traffic congested black-spots, particularly around road-works, with the Garda liaising with local authorities in addressing such problems when they arise.
The Garda will also work with the Departments of the Environment and Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs to tackle the problem of graffiti, especially race-related graffiti. A similarly co-operative effort will be put in place between different departments in relation to the expansion of CCTV systems.
The Fine Gael spokesman on Justice, Jim O’Keeffe, accused the Minister of reneging on the commitment in the Government manifesto of expanding the Garda Síochána within the lifetime of the Government.
"Finance Minister Brian Cowen has now revealed that this pledge will be broken." he said. "In his Estimates speech, Minister Cowen revealed that the 2006 provision will only allow for the employment of some 12,920 gardaí in 2006.
He went on to confirm that Government commitment to expand An Garda Síochána by 2,000, to a new complement of 14,000, will not now be achieved in the lifetime of this Government."
Labour spokesman on Justice Joe Costello said the Government had now abandoned its commitment to increase Garda numbers by 2,000 within the lifetime of the Government.
"The commitment to increase the membership of the force to 14,000 was made in 2002, and its implementation date is being pushed further and further back each year," he said. "Indeed it is clear that the increase of only 11 per cent in the allocation for Garda salaries, wages and allowance will allow for only a small overall increase in Garda numbers during the year.
"This is especially so if, as the Government has promised, significant resources are to be devoted to breaking up the criminal gangs.