Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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501. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the total strength of the Garda force in each of the past six years to date; the extent to which it is expected to restore numbers through the new recruitment programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27399/14]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy will appreciate, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the distribution of personnel among the Garda Regions, Divisions and Districts. Garda management keep this distribution under continuing review in the context of crime trends and policing priorities so as to ensure that the best possible use is made of these resources. I have however been informed by the Garda Commissioner that the personnel strength of An Garda Síochána on 31 December 2008 to 2013 and on 30 April 2014, the latest date for which figures are readily available was as set out in the table.

It is intended that the first intake of new Garda trainees who have successfully completed all stages of the recruitment process will enter the Garda College in July of this year. They will participate in the new training programme over the remainder of 2014 and it is expected that they will attest in early 2015. At that stage they will be assigned to Garda stations throughout the country by the Garda Commissioner. It is hoped to have further recruits entering training in Templemore later in 2014. The precise number of recruits to be included in each intake will be determined by a number of factors including retirements and will be decided shortly.