Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Independent)
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326. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if she will discuss with the Garda Commissioner the possibility of increasing the number of gardaí attached to the community policing unit in Garda district R; and the cost of this increase. [13917/15]

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, including community Gardaí, 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, as of the 28 February 2015, the latest date for which figures are readily available, there were 66 dedicated Community Gardaí assigned to Dublin Metropolitan Region (DMR) North of which 32 Community Gardaí are assigned to the DMR North District 'R'.

The cost of the assignment of members to Community policing or any other duties varies either up or down depending on a number of factors including the payment of allowances and the circumstances of the individual member. Therefore it would not be possible to estimate the cost at this point in time.

The Deputy will be aware that all Gardaí have responsibility, inter alia, to deal with community policing issues as and when they arise. Community policing is the underpinning philosophy and ethos through which An Garda Síochána delivers a service across the country.

The first intake since 2009 of 100 new recruits entered training at the Garda College, Templemore, on 15 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 batches commenced their training. The remaining 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 and the December intake will attest in August 2015. 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 and the needs of D.M.R. North Garda Division will be fully considered.