Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

My priority is to ensure we get back up to 9,500. The Government has provided a full budget to reach this figure. I take the Deputy's views on board. I reiterate the Taoiseach's words earlier last week. All agencies and organisations of the State are engaged in prudent planning for Brexit. I am repeating exactly what the Taoiseach and all Ministers have stated previously. It is my priority to make sure we get back up to 9,500. There are a number of issues with regard to recruitment. I have asked the Department to conduct a review of recruitment. It is something I will prioritise for 2019. We will look at it and we will have a review. I want to make sure it happens this year. A review has not been carried out for a long number of years. My priority, and the priority of the organisation, is to ensure we get back up to 9,500 personnel. It is important that we get back up to this number. Getting back up to 9,500 has been fully budgeted.

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