Martin Ferris (Kerry North-West Limerick, Sinn Fein)
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Question 122: To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of gardaí in training on 1 April 2012; his plans to increase the number of Garda recruits; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22679/12]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy is aware, the moratorium on Public Service recruitment continues to apply to An Garda Síochána. A s a result, 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.

In addition to this, what will ultimately determine the sustainable level of Garda numbers, and therefore establish when recruitment will recommence, is the level of budgetary provision that can be made for the Force, and the House will be conscious that difficult decisions will continue to have to be made, right across the public sector, in order to bring our public finances back into balance.

At present, there are a small number of probationer gardaí together with over 400 Garda reserve members completing their training in the Garda College. The Garda College continues to organise and provide in-service training to a significant number of gardaí each year in a broad range of skills and expertise.