Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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108. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the extent to which she expects to be able to replenish Garda strength in stations in County Kildare, with particular reference to specific crime blackspots, and stations that have experienced a reduction in Garda strength, over the past six years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7563/15]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy will appreciate, the Garda Commissioner 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 personnel strength of each Garda Station in the Kildare Garda Division on 31 December 2009 to 2014, the latest date for which figures are readily available, are set out in the following table.

I was very pleased that my colleague the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform agreed to the resumption of Garda recruitment. Last September, 100 new Garda recruits entered training at the Garda College in Templemore, the first intake of Garda recruits since May 2009. This was followed by an intake of a further 100 recruits in December and a third intake of 100 this month. This means that there are now 300 Garda students in training. The Garda Commissioner, will of course, continue to keep the needs of Kildare Garda Division under review within the overall context of the needs of Garda Divisions throughout the country.

I remain in discussion with my colleague the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform on the timing of future intakes of Garda recruits.