Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality his plans to recommence recruitment to An Garda Siochána this year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17758/13]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Garda numbers have been reducing due to the moratorium on recruitment put in place by the previous Government as part of its plan to reduce the strength of the Force to 13,000. My objective, despite the enormous financial pressures facing the Government is to ensure that Garda numbers will not fall below 13,000. In that context I intend bringing proposals to Government shortly in relation to the strength of the Garda Síochána and when recruitment might recommence.