Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Independent)
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Question 30: To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the European average for police to population across the European Union; the Irish equivalent of same; the minimum number of gardaí deemed necessary; if the Commissioner provided information on pending retirements; when an intake of new recruits will be necessary to satisfy the minimum number of gardaí; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16626/11]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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There is no mathematical formula for determining the optimum strength of the Garda Síochána, or indeed any police force. Instead, it is a matter of Government policy, taking into account all the relevant factors such as population and the crime rate, as well of course as the availability of resources. Nor is it a straightforward matter to compare police strength in different jurisdictions. EUROSTAT, the statistical office of the European Commission, maintains statistics on police strength in the European Union, but direct comparisons using these figures are difficult to make. In order to make any proper comparison, account would have to be taken of any differences in police function. For example, the Garda Síochána is not only the national police force, but also provides the national security and intelligence service, as well as an immigration service. In other jurisdictions these functions are discharged by separate agencies. The issue of civilian support staff would also need to be factored into any comparison. A greater level of civilian support staff releases proportionately more police for operational duties, resulting in a greater frontline strength than in a police force with similar police strength but a lesser level of civilian support staff. Other factors such as the prevailing crime rate would also need to be taken into account.

On retirements, I am informed by the Garda Commissioner that the number of Gardaí who so far this year have retired or indicated that they will retire by the end of 2011 is 161. It should be said, though, that it is difficult to extrapolate from that figure an estimate of the final number of retirements for the whole year.

The personnel strength of the Garda Síochána, as of 31 May 2011, the latest date for which figures are readily available, was 14,262. As the moratorium on Public Service Recruitment continues to apply to the Garda Síochána, no date has been fixed for future intakes into the Garda College or for the commencement of a recruitment competition. A decision on when recruitment will re-commence will take into account the rate of retirement in the Garda Síochána and Government targets for reductions in public service numbers.