Ciarán Lynch (Cork South Central, Labour)
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Question 48: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the strength of An Garda Síochána at the latest date for which figures are available broken down by full members, those who have attested but not yet concluded their training and those in training; the expected number that will be recruited during 2009; the anticipated number at each above category at the end of 2009; the number of members of the force that are expected to retire during 2009; the number that will be recruited in the first half of 2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46184/09]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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I am informed by the Garda authorities that on 31 October, the latest date for which completed returns are available, the personnel strength of An Garda Síochána was 14,634. This figure includes 1,098 probationer Gardaí who have been attested and will graduate over the next six months. On that date there were also 326 unattested students in training. A total of 200 students - 100 in February and 100 in May - were inducted into the Garda College in 2009.

In relation to retirements, a total of 826 members of the Force have retired or declared their intention to retire, either voluntarily or on age grounds, in 2009.

The moratorium on Public Service recruitment, introduced in May 2009, applies to Garda recruitment. I intend to keep the position under review during the course of 2010 in consultation with the Garda Commissioner and my colleague the Minister for Finance.