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 taking into account 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 Limerick Garda Division as of the 31 May 2015, the latest date for which figures are readily available, was 533. There are also 53 Garda Reserves and 49 Civilians attached to the Limerick Garda Division. I have circulated with this answer a complete breakdown of Gardaí assigned to the Limerick Division, District and stations.

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 February this year. The September intake attested as members of the Garda Síochána on 23 April 2015 and further attestations are scheduled to take place in July and September.I have received sanction for two further intakes of 125 Garda recruits later this year. This will bring the number of new recruits to 550 by the end of 2015. On attestation they will be assigned to Garda stations throughout the country by the Garda Commissioner.

The next set of Garda recruits to be attested is planned for the end of July 2015 and at that stage will be assigned by the Garda Commissioner to Garda stations throughout the Country.

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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254. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if additional measures will be implemented and if additional resources will be provided to An Garda Síochána due to the escalating problems for rural communities with the increased theft of cattle and farm machinery, particularly in the Border region; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27455/15]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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The Deputy will appreciate that the deployment of Garda resources and the implementation of policing strategies are matters for the Garda Commissioner. Garda management keep this distribution under continuing review taking into account 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 An Garda Síochána, in collaboration with the Irish Farmers’ Association (IFA), recognise the need to help farmers prevent theft of their livestock and farm equipment. To that end a farm Theft Stop initiative has been developed and trialed in two counties – Donegal and Tipperary. Theft Stopis a free farm theft prevention initiative that will provide participating members with a unique code to mark farm equipment and subsequently record this marked equipment on www.theftstop.ie. Marking property acts as an effective crime deterrent and will help to reduce farm related theft. Theft Stopmembers will, if desired, be able to purchase a stencil kit and/or metal punching set for application of their specific code.

The database will be kept and maintained by the IFA and will allow Theft Stopmembers to view an online directory of stolen farm machinery. This will also assist the Garda in investigation, recovery and identification processes.

I understand that feedback from the trial is very positive and it is planned that the initiative will be rolled out nationally on a phased basis over the coming year starting with Laois, Offaly, Kilkenny, Carlow and Limerick.

In support of this, the IFA has recruited a Rural Crime Prevention and Safety Executive, who will work in conjunction with Garda Crime Prevention Officers. I am further informed that to combat Metal Theft, which also affects the rural community, An Garda Síochána established a Metal Theft Forum to promote a multifaceted approach to preventing theft of metals and bring key stakeholders together. The participating stakeholders include the IFA (Irish Farmers Association).

This collaborative approach has assisted in the development of knowledge and assisted intelligence gathering. It has resulted in raising awareness of Metal Theft through briefings of operational Gardaí by key stakeholders and the National Crime Prevention Unit. It has facilitated the development external awareness raising measures through the use of the Garda Website, Crimecall and other media outlets.

In addition An Garda Síochána launched the Garda Metal Theft Crime Prevention and Reduction Plan in February 2013, which is available on the Garda website - www.garda.ie.