Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 410: To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if adequate resources will remain available to the Garda to combat ongoing crime at all levels; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25022/11]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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I have been informed by the Garda Commissioner that the personnel strength of An Garda Síochána on 31 August 2011, the latest date for which figures are readily available, was 14,162. There are also over 800 members of the Garda Reserve and more than 2,000 civilian support staff in An Garda Síochána . Responsibility for the allocation of resources, including personnel, rests with the Garda Commissioner, in consultation with his senior management team.

It must be recognised that, under plans agreed by the last Government as part of their compliance with the terms of the EU/IMF agreement, Garda numbers are due to be reduced to 13,000. As part of this process, the Commissioner will of course have to examine every option for increased efficiency and effectiveness in the delivery of services. An example of this is the work currently under way under the Croke Park Agreement to agree new Garda rosters to better match Garda deployment with peak policing demands.

This Government is committed to maintaining frontline policing services at the highest level possible and to ensuring that the best possible service is provide to the public.