John Brassil (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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76. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality her plans to ensure that sufficient Garda Síochána cover is in place in Ballybunion Garda station for the tourist season, given that normal Garda numbers at the station for this period is eight but has been reduced to four; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13930/16]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy will appreciate, it is the Garda Commissioner who is responsible for the distribution of resources, including personnel, among the various Garda Divisions and I, as Minister, have no direct role in the matter. I am assured by the Garda Commissioner that the allocation of Gardaí is continually monitored and reviewed taking into account all relevant factors including crime trends, demographics, and security assessments relating to the area in question so as to ensure optimal use is made of Garda human resources.

I have been informed that the station in question is part of the Listowel Garda District, which forms part of the wider Kerry Garda Division. The number of Gardaí assigned to the Division on the 31 March 2016, the latest date for which figures are readily available, was 297 of which 52 and 7 were assigned to the Listowel District and Ballybunion Garda station, respectively.

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" to continue the ongoing accelerated Garda recruitment programme with a view to increasing Garda numbers to 15,000.

As the Deputy will be aware, since the Garda College reopened in September 2014, a total of 700 Garda trainees have been recruited with a further 450 planned to be recruited during the remainder of 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 nationwide. I am informed by the Garda Commissioner that 10 newly attested Gardaí have been assigned to the Kerry Garda 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. We must, I believe, endeavour to make more rapid progress than this to reach our target of 15,000 and I am 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.