Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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264. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the current strength of An Garda Síochána; the extent to which it is expected to increase numbers over the next year; if particular attention will be paid to areas experiencing an increase in crime, when numbers are deployed in the future; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27615/15]

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 total strength of An Garda Síochána as of 31 May 2015, the latest date for which figures are readily available, was 12,772. There are also 1,057 Garda Reserves and around 2,000 Civilians attached to An Garda Síochána.

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 brought to 300 the number of recruits in the Garda College and is a measure of the Government's commitment to recruitment to An Garda Síochána. The September intake were attested as members of the Garda Síochána in April 2015 and have been assigned to Garda Stations throughout the Country. 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.

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