Seán Kenny (Dublin North East, Labour)
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To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of Garda sergeants and inspector vacancies currently in the Garda R&J districts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40299/12]

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn (Donegal North East, Sinn Fein)
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To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of permanent vacancies in An Garda Síochána broken down by division and rank; the number of these which are temporarily occupied; the date on which they will all be filled. [40506/12]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 310 and 319 together.

As of the 31 August 2012, the latest date for which figures are readily available, there were 13,531 Gardaí, just over 1,000 Reserve Gardaí and over 2,000 civilian staff in the Garda Síochána. With the exception of recruitment to the Garda Reserve which is of a voluntary nature, the moratorium on recruitment still applies to the Garda Síochána.

The Deputy will be aware that the Commissioner is responsible for the detailed allocation of resources, including personnel, throughout the organisation and I have no direct function in the matter. This allocation of resources is constantly monitored in the context of crime trends, policing needs and other operational strategies in place on a District, Divisional and Regional level to ensure optimum use is made of Garda resources and the best possible Garda service is provided to the public.

While regulations have previously provided for the numbers permitted in each rank, these have been upper ceilings for those numbers, rather than target strengths, and are set at a national rather than local level. It is therefore not generally practical to indicate precise levels of vacancies at the different ranks in specific locations. The attached sheet shows the allocation of Gardaí by rank in each Garda Division and District throughout the country.

The table is available as attachment Q310.xls at the top of the web page.