Tony Killeen (Clare, Fianna Fail)

With regard to Deputy Stanton's first question, Deputies will be aware that a recruitment process is under way currently. Those who have been recruited in that process are not included in the numbers given in my reply. In the initial phase, approximately 40 personnel will be assigned to each of the divisions. I have organised the recruitment process in such a way that it is open to being worked on as the opportunity presents itself. That must be done within the financial constraints. It is important that the ECF and the allocation of posts be based of the 10,000 figure. That is how we will move forward.

The difficulty anticipated by Deputy Stanton would only arise at the end of the current phase of recruitment when a new phase begins. That will be this time next year or a little later. For the moment, the recruitment process is under way and there is considerable flexibility there.

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