Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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139. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality further to Parliamentary Question No. 79 of 26 November 2014, her plans to augment Garda strength at the various stations throughout County Kildare that have indicated the need for an increase in strength arising from fluctuations and demand in respect of requirements in the period 2004 to date with particular reference to Celbridge, Leixlip, Maynooth, Kilcock, Carbury, Clane and Naas; if she will provide additional gardaí where required to relate Garda strength to workload; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47656/14]

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.

The Deputy will also be aware that I recently announced a further intake of 200 recruits into the Garda College, Templemore. The intake will be in two batches, the first on 15 December and the second in early 2015. This will bring to 300 the number of recruits in the Garda College and is a measure of this Government's commitment to ensure that recruitment to An Garda Síochána continues seamlessly. 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.

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.