Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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268. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of promotional positions that are vacant, or waiting to be filled, at all ranks throughout An Garda Síochána; when such positions are likely to be filled; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27619/15]

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.

With regard to the number of internal vacancies in An Garda Síochána, sanction has been given by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform for a maximum strength in each rank. The agreed strengths for ranks above Garda rank, together with current actual strength are given in the following table. Where current actual strength is below the approved maximum strength, the Garda Commissioner has standing approval to make the necessary arrangements to have these posts filled through promotion competitions, and I understand that such competitions are currently being arranged.