Shane Ross (Dublin South, Independent)
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111. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of gardaí operating from Ronanstown, Clondalkin, Lucan, Ballyfermot and Tallaght Garda stations in County Dublin in each year since 2006; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2403/16]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy will be aware 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 number of Gardaí operating from Ronanstown, Clondalkin, Lucan, Ballyfermot and Tallaght Garda Síochána Stations in County Dublin at the end of each year 2006 - 2014 and on the 30 November 2015, the latest date for which figures are readily available, was as set out in the table below.

This Government is committed to ensuring that An Garda Síochána has the capacity to provide effective and visible policing throughout the country. A crucial element of the Government's strategy is ensuring ongoing seamless recruitment to renew An Garda Síochána.

With this in mind Budget 2016 made provision for the recruitment of 600 new Gardaí this year bringing to 1,150 the number of new Gardaí who will have been recruited since the reopening of the Garda College in Templemore in September 2014. So far 295 of these new recruits have been fully attested and are undertaking Garda duties in communities nationwide. 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 in this context I have been informed by the Commissioner that of these newly attested Probationer Gardaí, 5 have been assigned to each of Ronanstown, Clondalkin, Lucan, Ballyfermot and 10 have been assigned to Tallaght.

I am very pleased that the 2016 recruitment campaign announced last November, and which closed on 6 January, has attracted strong interest with in the region of 16,500 applications received by the Public Appointments Service which is organising the competition on behalf of the Garda Commissioner.

Strength of Garda Stations 2006 - 2015