Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The question of numbers is a subject matter of ongoing monitoring by Government. I am very pleased that the targets are being observed. I am looking forward to the passing out ceremony at the Garda College in Templemore on Friday. By the end of 2018, we will have seen a further 500 gardaí come on stream, similar to last year's figure. The moneys allocated will facilitate the recruitment of 800 new recruits per year. When one takes into account retirements, which is in the region of 270 to 300 members per year, there is a net intake of 500 members of the Garda per annum. These are well-trained gardaí, albeit subject to gaining some experience. This is why supervision across the stations is so important. I am keen that these targets remain firmly on track and I am confident they will. I seek, however, a greater level of progress on the matter of civilianisation. I seek to have 4,000 civilians assisting the 15,000 sworn members by 2021. I also want to see an enhanced Garda Reserve with an increase in its numbers up to 2,000 by that point.

I acknowledge the importance of the specialist units. There is some lacking of appreciation of community gardaí. I have been told that some Garda divisions have considerably fewer community gardaí than others but much of that stems from designation. One could justifiably state that all front-line gardaí are, in effect, community gardaí. I visited Cork recently and had the opportunity to speak with some members of the Garda in the metropolitan area. While the issue of the deployment of gardaí is a matter for the Garda Commissioner, I am sure that Garda management is aware of needs in certain areas.

From my perspective as the Minister, I wish to ensure we have the resources to facilitate increased numbers, for training and supervision and for the provision of equipment. I do not intend to review the numbers of recruits immediately, as the Deputy has asked. I am, however, very keen to see a greater level of accelerated progress on the process of civilianisation. I am sure that Deputy Ó Laoghaire will agree with me that availability and visibility of members of the Garda is what communities want. I believe it is also what this committee wants and what we all want, and that we can work together towards this.