Niall Collins (Limerick, Fianna Fail)
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1. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if she will provide an update on current Garda Síochána recruitment numbers and internal vacancy competitions; her projections for total Garda numbers in 2015, 2016 and 2017; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27360/15]

Niall Collins (Limerick, Fianna Fail)
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I have tabled this question to elicit an update on current Garda recruitment numbers. I would also like a comment on some reports in the press about an internal competition for vacancies at senior ranks within An Garda Síochána, with a case taken against the Public Appointments Service. Given the recent publication of the Central Statistics Office report and trends in that regard, will the Minister outline the projected Garda numbers for 2015, 2016 and 2017?

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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The personnel strength of An Garda Síochána on 31 May was 12,772. The first intake since 2009, consisting of 100 recruits, entered training in Templemore on 15 September 2014. As part of the 2015 budget, I announced a further intake of 200 recruits, and on 15 December, the first 100 of those started. The remaining 100 entered the college in February this year. The September intake attested as members of the Garda Síochána on 23 April and, as I am sure the Deputy is aware, have been allocated by the Garda Commissioner to stations around the country, where they can get supervision and take up front-line duties. There will be further attestations in July and September, and I have received sanction for a further two intakes of 125 each. The number of new recruits coming on board is 550 in the past year. Taking account of crime trends and policing priorities, they will be assigned appropriately.

It is not possible to say precisely what Garda strength will be at the end of 2015, or even more so in 2016 and 2017, as this will depend on the number of retirements. They can vary quite significantly from one year to the next. As I have said all along, the retirement rate will be very carefully monitored and will naturally influence the level of recruitment needed to maintain Garda strength.

The Deputy also asked about internal vacancies at different levels. At senior management level there are very few vacancies, but as we move down levels there are some vacancies, and the Garda Commissioner has permission to recruit for them. I understand these will be filled through promotion competitions that are currently being arranged. I will circulate a document to the Deputy with the precise figures for vacancies at each level where there is an opportunity for promotion. The Deputy asked two further questions and I will return to them.

Niall Collins (Limerick, Fianna Fail)
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The problem in the community, as I and others are being told, is that the Garda capacity to investigate and detect crime, as well as Garda response times, are under much pressure because of the downward trend in headcount. The Minister has indicated that there are 550 recruits in or about to be in training, which is welcome. Will the Minister indicate where we will go after those 550 have been trained? She has rightly pointed out there are 12,772 gardaí, but we must bear in mind that 1,498 gardaí are today eligible for retirement. I know and accept that not all of those will go in one fell swoop. We can add to this the 500 gardaí who are out sick, on average, any day of the week, while another 230 are on incentivised career break. What is the Minister's projection for recruitment for the latter part of this year and into next year?

The Minister mentioned Garda stations. Many of the smaller stations that were not closed are supposed to be open, but they really only operate for an hour per day. Is the Minister aware of the case taken by a senior member of An Garda Síochána against the Public Appointments Service and the Attorney General, which I read about in the press? It relates to the interview process for the position of deputy commissioner.

Michael Kitt (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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Thank you. We can come back to the Deputy.

Niall Collins (Limerick, Fianna Fail)
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Is it not the case that the chairperson designate of the new independent authority, Ms Josephine Feehily, should be involved?

One of the key functions of the new independent authority is to recruit the most senior people within the organisation. Is this not putting the cart before the horse?

Michael Kitt (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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That is a long question.

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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There were about seven questions there. I will try to get through them.

Niall Collins (Limerick, Fianna Fail)
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The Minister will be well able to do so.

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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I want to see us continuing the rate of recruitment of at least 500 a year. In discussions with Templemore and the Garda Commissioner, it is very clear that this is the maximum Templemore can take per year. It has been higher in the past, but there have been issues about supervision when those recruits go out into the community and we want to do it to the highest professional standards, as does the Garda. I have said I want to see continuous recruitment to an Garda Síochána. The Garda Commissioner will keep an eye to the operational challenges.

One must also consider the kind of reform that is under way when talking about effective policing. It is very clear that investment in ICT is essential and will impact on effective use of Garda resources. Much of crime now, in the case of burglaries, for example, involves highly mobile gangs. The investment we have just made in the right type of vehicle is an essential part of targeting crime. It is not about sitting behind a desk, it is about being out there and being mobile. I would like to deal with the question Deputy Collins asked, very briefly if I could, about the open competition-----

Michael Kitt (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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I will have to come back to the Minister. There are other Deputies who want to get in and it is not fair to them.

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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Perhaps we can return to it, then. I wanted to give a reply on that.

Niall Collins (Limerick, Fianna Fail)
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The Minister is just going to address the issue I am raising regarding recruitment of deputy commissioner, the second tier in the organisation.

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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Yes.

Niall Collins (Limerick, Fianna Fail)
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It has been reported in the press that there is a legal challenge against the Public Appointments Service, the Attorney General and the State as to the whole process that was undertaken. I am asking the Minister to comment on that, given that we have a new independent authority coming down the tracks. What input, if any, has Josephine Feehily, as the chairperson designate, had to that process?

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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An open competition to fill the two vacancies at deputy commissioner level was held by the Public Appointments Service. An application for an interlocutory injunction in respect of that competition is currently being considered by the High Court. In those circumstances, the Deputy will understand that I cannot make any further comment on it. It is before the High Court. As regards the independent policing authority, I am awaiting a time to bring that legislation into the Dáil. Deputy Collins probably saw the position of chief executive advertised at the weekend. Clearly, once the independent policing authority is up and running, it would have a responsibility regarding recruitment, but not at this point.

Niall Collins (Limerick, Fianna Fail)
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Does the chairperson designate have any input into the competition?

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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Not at this point.