Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I acknowledge the Deputy's consistent interest in this matter on behalf of his constituents in Carlow–Kilkenny. I am very pleased to engage with him at all times. He will appreciate that it is a matter for the Garda Commissioner who is fully responsible for the distribution of Garda personnel among the various divisions. As Minister, I have no direct role in the matter. Garda management keeps the distribution of resources under continual review in the context of crime trends in the area and policing priorities to ensure the optimum use is made of resources. I do not interfere politically in policing matters, nor do I direct the Commissioner where to deploy resources.

Notwithstanding the Commissioner's responsibility, I have provided, in tabular form, the detailed information requested by the Deputy. I am informed by the Commissioner that the strength of the Kilkenny–Carlow division on 31 August, the latest date for which information is readily available, was 333. There are also 26 Garda reserves and 41 Garda civilian staff attached to the Kilkenny–Carlow division. When necessary, the work of local gardaí is supported by a number of Garda national units, including the National Bureau of Criminal Investigation, the armed support units, the Garda National Economic Crime Bureau and the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau. I confirm the Government's commitment to supporting An Garda Síochána and ensuring the organisation is appropriately resourced.

Garda recruitment was effectively discontinued from 2010 until 2014. I am very pleased that 2,200 recruits have since been attested as members, of whom 57 have been assigned to the Kilkenny–Carlow division. I am pleased that by the end of the year in a few weeks' time the strength of An Garda Síochána will have reached over 14,000. It will have reached this number for the first time in many years.

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