Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality his plans for Garda numbers by the end of 2012, 2013 and 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39108/12]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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As of the 31 July 2012 there were 13,547 members of the Garda Síochána, along with 911 Reserve Gardaí and over 2,000 civilian staff. As the Deputy will be aware, public expenditure must be reduced to a sustainable level. This means, among other things, reducing expenditure on public service pay, whether by reducing headcount or otherwise. This is particularly so in those public service bodies where pay forms an especially large part of overall expenditure, such as the Garda Síochána where 90% of expenditure is on pay and pensions.

The current and projected Garda budgets will therefore necessitate a significant reduction in Garda expenditure. This will undoubtedly require further reductions in Garda numbers. This has been well known for some time, dating right back to when the last Government was in office and the question of the exact level of the reductions required will depend on the potential for alternative savings which could mitigate the scale of the reduction in head count required. In this context, the Department of Justice and Equality is engaging in consultation with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform on this matter and it would not be appropriate to comment further on this at this point in time.

It is important to emphasise that the reduction in Garda strength is being accompanied by real reform which is designed to introduce new efficiencies into the delivery of the policing service. New Garda rosters commenced at the end of April 2012 on a national pilot basis. The new rosters are designed to better match the availability of Gardaí with policing demands at national and local level, while also safeguarding the welfare of members. Steps have also been taken to rationalise the Garda station network, so that the right balance is struck between the optimum number of Garda stations and the most effective deployment of Gardaí on operational duties. These and other reforming measures seek to maximise the efficiency of the Garda Síochána so that, even with reduced strength, an effective policing service will continue to be delivered across the country.