Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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126. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if additional resources will be approved for the Cavan-Monaghan Garda district in view of the increase in crime in both counties in recent years; if her attention has been drawn to the concerns of many communities in relation to a recent spate of burglaries in both urban and rural areas; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43684/14]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy will be aware, one of the primary functions of the Garda Commissioner under the Garda Síochána Acts, is to direct and control An Garda Síochána. In this regard, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the distribution of all resources, including fully sworn members and Reserve Gardaí, among the Garda Regions, Divisions and Districts. Garda management keep this distribution under continuing review in the context of security assessments, crime trends and policing priorities so as to ensure that the best possible use is made of these resources.

I have been informed by the Garda Commissioner that the full complement of Gardaí, Reserve Gardaí and civilians attached to each Garda Station in the Cavan-Monaghan Division, on the 30 September 2014, the latest date for which figures are readily available, was as set out in the table below.

As you will be aware the first intake since 2009 of 100 new recruits entered training at the Garda College in Templemore on Monday 15 September 2014. This marked a positive step forward for policing in Ireland. Furthermore, as provided for in Budget 2015 the process of recruiting 200 new Gardaí to the force will continue over the next few months. The situation will be kept under review and when these additional personnel next become available the needs of the Cavan/Monaghan Garda Division will be fully considered within the overall context of the needs of Garda Divisions throughout the country.

It is my intention that there will be ongoing recruitment and I am discussing the details of this with my colleague the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform.