Eric Byrne (Dublin South Central, Labour)
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326. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality when additional Garda Síochána resources will be deployed in Dublin 12; if she will clarify a situation (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41583/15]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy will be aware, one of the primary functions of the Garda Commissioner under the Garda Síochána Acts is to direct and control An Garda Síochána. In this respect, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the distribution of all resources, including personnel, among the Garda Regions, Divisions and Districts. Garda management keep this distribution under continual review in the context of crime trends, demographics, policing priorities and security assessments so as to ensure that the best possible use is made of these resources.

I have been informed by the Garda Commissioner that as of the 30 September 2015, the latest date for which figures are readily available there were 157 members attached to the Crumlin District. On the same date there were also 12 Garda Reserves and 11 civilians attached to the District.

Since the Garda College reopened in September 2014, there have been six intakes of Garda Trainees, giving a total intake of 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 members, including newly attested members.

The increased budget allocation for An Garda Síochána in 2016 provides for the recruitment of an additional 600 new trainee Gardaí. This will bring the total number of trainee Gardaí recruited to 1,150 by the end of next year. A recruitment campaign will be advertised shortly for these positions.