Willie Penrose (Westmeath, Labour)
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Question 18: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he has received a recommendation from the Garda Commissioner that the full time strength of the Gardaí should be increased to 15,000; if he intends to act on the Commissioner's recommendation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22141/06]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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In August 2005, I received a submission from the Garda Commissioner on the resourcing requirements of An Garda Síochána. The submission was based on the Commissioner's analysis of the policing challenges facing An Garda Síochána in the medium and longer term, including the implications of demographic change, the need to continue to combat crime and terrorist threats, and the requirements for enhanced enforcement of road traffic law and immigration control. In the submission, the Commissioner proposed the future expansion of An Garda Síochána to 15,000 full time members. He also proposed the expansion of the Garda overtime budget, the creation of a Garda Reserve of approximately 4,000 members, and additional civilian support for An Garda Síochána.

On these last three issues, strong action has been taken. The 2006 Garda overtime budget allocation has risen by €22.4million to €83.5 million, an increase of 36.6% over the original allocation of €61.1m in 2005. I have published draft regulations providing for the establishment of a Garda Reserve. As I outlined in an answer to another question today, significant progress has also been made on providing additional civilian support for An Garda Siochána.

On the issue of an increase in the strength of An Garda Síochána to 15,000, the priority now is the current recruitment drive to increase the strength of An Garda Síochána to 14,000 members, in line with the commitment in the Agreed Programme for Government. This has involved a major redevelopment of the facilities at the Garda College, almost doubling its student capacity. The recruitment programme is fully on target, and will lead to a combined strength, of both attested Gardaí and recruits in training, of 14,000 by the end of this year.

I am now giving careful consideration to the case for a continuation of the current intensive recruitment drive beyond the target of 14,000, and I will bring any proposals to Government. I do not want to anticipate the decision of Government, but I can say that I recognise the strength of the case made by the Commissioner and that I attach considerable weight to his arguments.