Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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372. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if she will urgently review Garda Síochána strength in County Louth; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36223/15]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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I am informed by the Garda Commissioner that the allocations of Gardaí is continually monitored to ensure optimal use of Garda human resources. This process is periodically reviewed in light of particular incidents of concern or challenges and it is in this context that the Commissioner has directed the allocation of additional Gardaí to the Louth Division.

I am advised that an additional 2 sergeants and 25 Gardaí are being allocated to the Louth Garda Division as an interim measure. These Gardaí are being transferred on a temporary basis from adjoining Garda Divisions and the Dublin Metropolitan Region to support the work of the 282 members of An Garda Síochána assigned to the Louth Division.

The work of local Gardaí in the Louth Division is augmented by a number of Garda national units such as the National Bureau of Criminal Investigation (NBCI), the Criminal Assets Bureau (CAB) and the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB). Organised criminal activity is currently being targeted by An Garda Síochána across a number of fronts, including the use of focused intelligence-led operations by specialist units such as the Drugs and Organised Crime Unit and CAB.

This Government is committed to the ongoing renewal of An Garda Síochána. The increased allocation in Budget 2016 will allow for the recruitment of an additional 600 new Gardai next year on top of the 550 that will be recruited before the end of this year.

So far 295 of the new Garda Trainees have attested as members of An Garda Síochána and further 150 recruits will enter the college by year end.

On attestation, new Probationer Gardaí are assigned to Garda stations throughout the country by the Garda Commissioner, where they are deployed to mainstream policing duties. I am assured by Garda management that the needs of all Garda Divisions are fully considered, including the Louth Division, when determining the allocation of newly attested Gardaí.