Niall Collins (Limerick, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

267. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the current number of attested members of An Garda Síochána; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41137/14]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

As the Deputy will appreciate, it is the Garda Commissioner who 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 been informed by the Garda Commissioner that the current number of attested members of An Garda Síochána on 30 September 2014, the latest date for which figures are readily available, was 12,861.

The Deputy will be aware the first intake since 2009 of 100 new recruits entered training at the Garda College in Templemore on Monday 15th 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 first batch of recruits (already in training) will attest as members of the Garda Síochána in May of 2015 and will be assigned to Garda Stations throughout the country by the Garda Commissioner.