Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 337: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he is satisfied regarding the strength of the serious crime units within the Garda Síochána; if further enhancement is anticipated in view of increased indicators of criminal activity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21402/08]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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The current intake of 1,100 Garda recruits per annum is on course to meet the Government's recruitment target.

As of 30 April 2008, the latest date for which figures are readily available, the personnel strength of An Garda Síochána was 13,874 with over 1,000 recruits in training.

It is the responsibility of the Garda Commissioner to allocate personnel throughout the Force taking all relevant factors into account, such as population, crime rates and trends, and operational priorities. When additional personnel next become available their allocation will be decided by the Commissioner in this context.