Mattie McGrath (Tipperary South, Independent)
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121. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality her plans to immediately roll out emergency recruitment measures for new gardaí given the rapid escalation in rural crime; her further plans to reduce the levels of burglaries and thefts occurring in rural Ireland; further to this, when she will publish the result of the public consultation on the cash for gold sector; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35183/15]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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This Government is committed to the ongoing recruitment of trainee Gardaí, and to this end the first intake since 2009 of new recruits commenced training at the Garda College, Templemore, in September of last year.

To date there have been four intakes of Garda Trainees to the Garda College, giving a total intake of 400. A further 150 recruits will enter college by year end, bringing total recruitment of Garda Trainees to 550. So far 295 of the new Garda Trainees have attested as members of An Garda Síochána. On attestation, new Probationer Gardaí are assigned to Garda stations throughout the country by the Garda Commissioner, where they are assigned to mainstream uniform policing duties. I am assured by Garda management that the needs of all Garda Divisions are fully considered when determining the allocation of newly attested Gardaí.

I am pleased that the budget allocation for 2016 will allow for the recruitment of a further 600 new Gardaí in addition to the 550 that will be recruited by year end. The ongoing recruitment of new Gardaí is crucial to An Garda Síochána and for the safety of communities throughout the State.

I am determined to tackle rural crime and to ensure that those on the frontline have the legislation and resources to do so effectively. My approach is focussed on two key objectives; strengthening the law to get tougher on serious and repeat offenders, principally through the Criminal Justice (Burglary of Dwellings) Bill, 2015 which is before the Houses of the Oireachtas, and investing in the capacity of An Garda Síochána to enforce that law effectively through the significantly enhanced Garda resources which the Government is making available.

I am aware of the concerns that have been expressed in relation to the potential of the irregular trade in second hand precious metals and stones to fuel crimes such as burglaries and thefts given the ease by which items of jewellery can be melted down and made untraceable. My Department has recently published a consultation document on setting out potential options for addressing the 'cash for gold' issue. This consultation document, which is available on the Department's website, has a closing date for receipt of submissions of 30 October 2015. Following receipt of submissions there will need to be further engagement with An Garda Síochána, the Office of the Revenue Commissioners and other relevant Departments and State Bodies.