Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent)
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329. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the current allocation of gardaí for the area covered by Cabra Garda Síochána station; if she will address the need for additional resources for this area as this station supplies gardaí for Áras an Uachtaráin, the American ambassador's residence and Farmleigh House, and for events taking place in the Phoenix Park in County Dublin; and her views on the current numbers and the need for additional resources given the extent of the roles of gardaí in this station. [42758/15]

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 taking into account crime trends and policing priorities so as to ensure that the best possible use is made of these resources.

I have been informed by the Garda Commissioner that the personnel strength of Gardaí assigned to Dublin Metropolitan Region (D.M.R.) West on the 31 October 2015, the latest dates for which figures are readily available are 692 of which 68 are assigned to Cabra Garda station. There are also 56 Garda Reserves and 43 Civilians attached to the DMR West Garda Division.

I am further informed that local Garda management is satisfied that a full and comprehensive policing service is being delivered to the communities in the area concerned and that current structures in place meet the requirements of the delivery of an effective and efficient policing service.

This Government is committed to ensuring that An Garda Síochána has the capacity to provide effective, visible policing throughout the country. A crucial element of the Government's strategy is ongoing seamless recruitment to renew An Garda Síochána. With this in mind Budget 2016 made provision for the recruitment of 600 new Gardaí next year bringing to 1,150 the number of new Gardaí that will be recruited since the reopening of the Garda College in Templemore in September 2014. So far 295 of those new recruits are fully attested and are on the ground in communities nationwide. On attestation, new probationer Gardaí are assigned to 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 and that 30 of these newly attested Gardaí have been assigned to the DMR West Garda Division.

I was very pleased to announce the commencement of the recruitment campaign for 2016 last Friday, 27 November. It is being organised by the Public Appointments Service on behalf of the Garda Commissioner. Applications must be made through . The closing date for applications is Tuesday 5 January 2016. Successful candidates can expect to enter the Garda College from June 2016 onwards.