John Paul Phelan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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111. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of gardaí in An Garda Síochána from 1970 to the present, broken down annually. [45662/14]

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 Reserves, 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 however been informed by the Garda Commissioner that the personnel strength of An Garda Síochána for the years 1971 to 2014 is as set out in the table overleaf. Some years are not readily available and can only be obtained by using a disproportionate amount of time and resources. Also attached is the strength of the Garda Reserve since it was established in 2006.