Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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Question 70: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the amount allocated in respect of Garda pay, including overtime, in 2009; the way this compares with the figures for 2008; the number of personnel on the Garda payroll; the expected numbers at the end of 2009; if he is satisfied that sufficient financial allocation has been made to allow the gardaí to maintain the expected level of policing operations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40168/08]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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The amount allocated under the estimates process for Garda pay, including overtime, in 2009 is €1,090,332,000. The amount allocated in 2008 was €1,100,934,000. These figures include pay for both members of the Garda Síochána and civilian staff.

The personnel strength of the Garda Síochána on 30 September 2008, the latest date for which figures are readily available, was 14,284. Under the present Garda recruitment programme, it is expected that this number will increase to almost 14,900 by the end of 2009. The exact figure is dependant on a number of factors including the level of retirements over the coming year.

I am satisfied that the Garda allocation is sufficient to maintain existing levels of front-line policing and tackle organised crime through targeted intelligence-led operations.