James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I again thank the Senator for raising the important matter of the need for a Garda station and resources in west Donegal. I assure him the Government is unwavering in its commitment to providing An Garda Síochána with significant funding to perform its crucial policing role nationwide.

We are now in a period of sustained recruitment of Garda members and staff. This enables the Garda Commissioner to increase the number of gardaí on duty and redeploy more gardaí to front-line policing duties. The most recent Garda recruitment campaign received 5,000 applications, which indicates the considerable level of public interest in becoming a Garda and building a career with An Garda Síochána. The number of trainee Garda members has been steadily increasing at the Garda College at Templemore with each intake. Last November, 92 recruits entered the college, while 135 commenced in February and another 154 commenced in May. An Garda Síochána is prepared to take in a new class every 11 weeks for the remainder of the year, as provided for in the budget. The number of Garda members has risen by almost 9% since 2015, when the Garda College reopened. These gardaí are supported by approximately 3,100 Garda staff across the organisation, representing a substantial increase of more than 50% on the total number of civilian staff in 2015. This allows gardaí to be freed up from administrative duties and move onto the front line. This dedicated and ongoing funding and growing of Garda resources will continue.