Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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122. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the extent to which she expects the strength of An Garda Síochána to increase over the next five years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13796/15]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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123. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the total strength of An Garda Síochána in each of the past ten years and in 2015 to date, by rank and gender; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13797/15]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 122 and 123 together.

I am informed by the Garda Commissioner that Garda strength at the end of February 2015 was 12,763 with approximately 1,100 Garda Reserve members and 2,000 civilian staff. The first intake since 2009 of 100 new recruits entered training at the Garda College, Templemore, on 15th September 2014. As part of Budget 2015, a further intake of 200 recruits in two batches was announced. On 15 December 2014, the first 100 of these recruits commenced their training and the second 100 entered the college in early February. This will bring to 300 the number of recruits in the Garda College and is a measure of the Government's commitment to ensure that recruitment to An Garda Síochána continues seamlessly. The September intake will attest as members of the Garda Síochána in May 2015 with the December and February intakes attesting in August and October 2015 respectively. In addition, I have received sanction from the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform for two further intakes of 125 Garda recruits later this year. On attestation they will be assigned to Garda stations throughout the country by the Garda Commissioner.

While it is the Government's intention that there will be ongoing seamless recruitment to the force, it is not just a question of Garda numbers. The Government are also committed to ensuring that the Garda Síochána have appropriate technical and other resources and that the necessary skilled, professional personnel are recruited to support the Gardaí in their work.

I have been informed by the Garda Commissioner that the personnel strength of An Garda Síochána on 31 December 2005 to 2014 and on 28 February 2015, the latest date for which figures are readily available, broken down by rank and gender is set out in the tables overleaf.