99 Deputy Mary Upton asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the number of Garda personnel engaged in providing driver and security services to the members of the Government, members of the Judiciary, former Taoisigh or former Government Ministers, including those on any reserve panel; his plans to review the number involved with a view to transferring some of those Garda officers to front line duties fighting crime; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43019/10]

I have been informed by the Garda Commissioner that there are 56 Garda Protection Officers assigned to drive and protect current office holders and former Taoisigh.

A reserve panel, comprising 24 Gardaí, is in place, and these personnel are also available to An Garda Síochána for other duties.

Responsibility for the allocation of personnel rests with the Garda Commissioner, in conjunction with his senior management team.