Peter Fitzpatrick (Louth, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I did not think the figure was as high as that or that there were 3,000 full-time civilians. I know the target is 4,000. I welcome the extra 500 front-line gardaí in the area. Will the extra Garda staff coming on stream in 2019 help to increase the civilian staff from 3,000 to 4,000? Is that going to happen in a short period? If we can get a couple of hundred more gardaí on the beat and on patrol, it would be very good. I cannot complain because, in fairness, the situation we had in Drogheda was very serious and when the Garda Commissioner and Minister were asked to come, they left no stone unturned. The people in Drogheda can sleep an awful lot better at night. The sooner we can get the other 1,000 civilians into the Garda, the better. I welcome that the Garda force is 14,000 at present. By when is it hoped to have the full strength of 21,000?