Tony McLoughlin (Sligo-North Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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554. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the increase in the number of gardaí and Garda Síochána vehicles in the Sligo-Leitrim division in 2014 and 2015; the percentage rate of the decrease or increase in the rates of crime in counties Sligo and Leitrim in 2014 and 2015; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37563/15]

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 continual review in the context of crime trends and policing priorities so as to ensure that the best possible use is made of resources.

I have been informed by the Garda Commissioner that the Garda strength of the Sligo/Leitrim Division on the 31 December 2014 and as of the 30 September 2015, the latest date for which figures are readily available was 296 and 295, respectively.

I have been further informed that the number of new Garda vehicles provided to Sligo/Leitrim Division in 2014 and in 2015 was 13 and 11, respectively.

As the Deputy will be aware the Central Statistics Office (CSO), as the national statistical agency, is responsible for the publication of recorded crime statistics.

In relation to the matters referred to, I have requested the CSO to provide the available statistics directly to the Deputy.