John Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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Question 158: To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if the Garda numbers will continue to be reduced due to retirements and other reasons; the effect this will have on Garda operations in the future; his plans to introduce a Garda recruitment campaign; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11939/11]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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The Government's Programme for National Recovery has set a target for a reduction in the numbers employed in the public service between now and the end of 2015. I will be discussing with the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, and my other Cabinet colleagues, the details of how this reduction will be applied across those parts of the public service which I am politically responsible for. I expect that a final decision on this will be taken in the context of the comprehensive review of expenditure currently under way. A decision on when Garda recruitment will recommence will take into account both the target reduction and the rate of retirements from the Garda Síochána.

While there is no getting away from the reality that public expenditure and public service numbers have to be reduced, I am determined, as are all my Cabinet colleagues, that this will be accompanied by real and substantive reform, reform which will make the delivery of public services more efficient and cost-effective. Our Programme for National Recovery recognises that a key objective of this reform is the protection of frontline services, and I regard that as a priority for the Garda Síochána.