Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
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404. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality her views on a matter (details supplied) regarding Garda recruitment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18425/15]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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The Deputy will be aware that 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 attested as members of the Garda Síochána on 23 April 2015 and the December intake will attest in Summer 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.

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.