Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 126: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform when he expects the Garda strength to reach the 14,000 as promised in the programme for Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17696/05]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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The Deputy will be aware that in October 2004 the Government approved my proposal to increase the strength of the Garda Síochána to 14,000 members on a phased basis, in line with the An Agreed Programme for Government commitment in this regard. This is a key commitment in the programme for Government and its implementation will significantly strengthen the operational capacity of the force.

As a basis for implementing this commitment the Commissioner has drawn up a project plan which has three key elements: the recruitment of sufficient additional Garda trainees to achieve the target strength; relocating the inservice training facilities from the Garda College so that it can concentrate on training recruits; and expanding the facilities at the Garda College.

As part of this plan, approximately 275 recruits will be taken into the Garda College in every quarter this year and the following two years, amounting to approximately 1,100 recruits each year. As I have previously stated, this will — taking into account projected retirements — lead to a combined organisational strength, of both attested gardaí and recruits in training, of 14,000 as early as 2006. The first and second of the intakes of 275 recruits commenced training in early February 2005 and early this month, respectively. The remaining two intakes of 275 recruits for this year are scheduled to commence training on 2 August 2005 and 7 November 2005.