Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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762. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the current strength of An Garda Síochána, permanent and reserve; when he expects to be in a position to facilitate recruitment in order to alleviate pressure points on various locations throughout the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46237/13]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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I have been informed by the Garda Commissioner that the personnel strength of An Garda Síochána as of 30 September 2013, the latest date for which figures are readily available, was 13,159 Gardaí, with an additional 1,129 Garda Reserves and just over 2,000 civilians. As has already been announced, a recruitment competition for An Garda Síochána is to commence shortly and it is expected that the first batch of new recruits will enter the Garda college in mid-2014. There are a number of procedural issues that need to be finalised prior to the formal commencement of that competition and these are expected to conclude in the coming weeks. A further announcement will be issued as soon as recruitment starts, both on the Public Appointments Service website and directly to those who have registered an expression of interest in joining the Garda Síochána.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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763. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality his preferred options in respect of the strength of An Garda Síochána over the next four years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46238/13]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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My objective is to maintain Garda strength at the level of 13,000 members, and in that context I have secured the approval of my colleague, the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, for a recruitment competition for the Garda Síochána. There are a number of procedural issues that need to be finalised prior to the formal commencement of that competition and these are expected to conclude in the coming weeks, with the first students entering the Garda College in Templemore, Co Tipperary, in mid-2014.