Billy Timmins (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Question 199: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of fully trained gardaí as of 7 November 2006. [37533/06]

Billy Timmins (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Question 200: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the estimate of the number of fully trained gardaí that will be in place for 31 January, 28 February, 31 March, 30 April and 31 May 2007. [37534/06]

Jim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 213: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of full time members of An Garda Síochána as of the latest date from which figures are available. [37830/06]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 199, 200 and 213 together.

I have been informed by the Garda authorities, who are responsible for the detailed allocation of resources, including personnel, that the personnel strength (all ranks) of An Garda Síochána increased to a record 12,762 on Friday, 8 September, 2006, following the attestation of 249 new members. This compares with a total strength of 10,702 (all ranks) as at 30 June, 1997 and represents an increase of 2,060 (or 19%) in the personnel strength of the Force during that period. The induction of 280 new Garda recruits to the Garda College on 6 November, 2006 has resulted in a combined strength, of both attested Gardaí and recruits in training, of 14,137. The Garda Budget now stands at €1.3 billion, a 13% increase on 2005 and an 85% increase since 1997 in real terms.

I have been further informed that the personnel strength (all ranks) of An Garda Síochána as at 7 November, 2006 was 12,707. A further group of approximately 275 new members will be attested to the Force later this week on Thursday 16 November 2006. Taking account of anticipated retirements, the personnel strength all ranks at the end of 2006 will be approximately 12,935.

During 2007, further classes of 275 each quarter will become attested members of the Force with attestations in March, June, September and November. Further tranches of approximately 275 newly attested Gardaí will follow every 90 days until the programme is complete. Month to month projections of the strength of the Force in the early stages of 2007 are dependent on the levels of retirements during those months. However, taking account of projected retirements for 2007, it is projected that net strength of the Force will again increase by approximately 700 members to over 13,600 by the end of 2007 with a combined strength of both unattested trainees and attested members at approximately 14,700.