Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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79. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the total number of gardaí deployed to each station throughout County Kildare on an annual basis from 2004 to date in 2014; the extent to which it is expected to augment the numbers in line with requirements at present; if she has received requests from the Garda authorities for an increase in Garda strength in the areas referred to; if and when she will be in a position to respond favourably; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45411/14]

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 number of Gardaí and Reserve Gardaí assigned to each station in County Kildare between 31 December 2004 to 31 December 2013 and for the 30 September 2014, the latest date for which figures are readily available, was as set out in the following tables.

As 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, the process of recruiting 200 additional Gardaí to the force will continue over the next few months. The Garda Commissioner will, of course, continue to keep the needs of the Kildare Garda Division under review within the overall context of the needs of Garda Divisions throughout the country.