Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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93. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality to augment the strength of An Garda Síochána throughout County Kildare especially in those areas which have experienced increased levels of criminal activity over the past 12 months; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9577/16]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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155. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if she will enhance the strength of An Garda Síochána at the various stations in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10628/16]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 93 and 155 together.

As the Deputy will be aware, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the distribution of resources, including personnel, among the various Garda Divisions and Districts. Garda management keeps this distribution of resources under continual review in the context of crime trends and policing priorities so as to ensure that the optimum use is made of these resources.

I have been informed by the Garda Commissioner that as of the 31 March 2016, the latest date for which figures are readily available, there were 312 members assigned to the Kildare Division. The table below sets out the detailed distribution of these Gardaí. These members are supported by 29 Reserve members and 27 civilians. When appropriate, the work of local Gardaí is supported by a number of Garda national units such as the National Bureau of Criminal Investigation (NBCI), the Garda Bureau of Fraud Investigation (GBFI), and the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB).

Since the Garda College was reopened in September 2014 there have been seven intakes of Garda Trainees giving a total intake of 700. A further 450 will be taken in this year. So far 395 of the new Garda Trainees have attested as members of An Garda Síochána and have been assigned to mainstream uniform duties in communities nationwide. The Garda Commissioner has informed me that 20 of these newly attested members have been assigned to the Kildare Division.

It is expected that a further 300 trainees will attest by the end of this year which, taking account of projected retirements, will bring Garda numbers to around the 13,000 mark. I am assured by the Commissioner that the needs of all Garda Divisions are fully considered when determining the allocation of newly attested Gardaí.

This Government is committed to ensuring a strong and visible police presence throughout the country in order to maintain and strengthen community engagement, provide reassurance to citizens and deter crime. Key to achieving this goal is the commitment in the Programme for Government, "A Programme for a Partnership Government" tocontinue the ongoing accelerated Garda recruitment programme with a view to increasing Garda numbers to 15,000. We must, I believe, endeavour to make more rapid progress than this to reach our target of 15,000 and I will be engaging with my colleague, the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, in relation to increasing the planned annual intake this year and in coming years.

Kildare Garda Division 31 March 2016