Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 402: To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the total number of vacancies at all ranks awaiting to be filled at the present time; the extent to which such posts are to be filled in the current year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6925/12]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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I am informed by the Garda Authorities that the personnel strength of An Garda Síochána on 31 December 2011, the latest date for which figures are readily available, was 13,894 broken down by rank as per the following table:-

As the Deputy may be aware, I today secured Cabinet approval for the appointment of 2 Assistant Garda Commissioners, 8 Chief Superintendents and 23 Superintendents, a total of 33 appointments to senior Garda ranks. All of the consequential vacancies at Sergeant and Inspector ranks will also be filled.

I was very glad to secure the agreement of my colleague, the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, and the Cabinet as a whole for such a significant number of appointments. In seeking these promotions, I was conscious of the need to enable the Garda Commissioner to fill key positions in the senior ranks, and to maintain both the investigative and also the management and supervisory capacity of the Force.

With clarity now emerging on the final number of retirements expected by the end of this month, I will be discussing with the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the case for filling outstanding vacancies in the senior ranks.