Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

80. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality her proposals to encourage support for An Garda Síochána in its fight against criminal activity, including criminal gangs; if she is satisfied regarding the resources available to the force to meet this challenge; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17602/16]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

89. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the extent to which An Garda Síochána can engage with and offer support to local communities that have suffered or continue to suffer from the attention and influence of criminal gangs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17611/16]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 80 and 89 together.

I can assure the Deputy that tackling organised crime activity is a key ongoing priority for both the Government and An Garda Síochána.

An Garda Síochána's Policing Plan sets out the priorities of An Garda Síochána in this regard including its continued commitment to pro-actively target groups and individuals engaged in criminal activity, including organised criminal activities.

In light of the exceptional threat to the safety of the community arising from the recent activities of criminal gangs, a number of new initiatives have been announced including legislative proposals to provide additional powers to the Criminal Assets Bureau in targeting the proceeds of crime, an additional allocation of €55 million to be made available to An Garda Síochána this year in support of targeted measures, as well as the proposals for accelerated recruitment into An Garda Síochána.

The Garda Commissioner has also announced the establishment of a new Garda Special Crime Task Force to augment existing responses to organised crime at a local level.

In addition, at the request of the Garda Commissioner earlier this year, funding was approved for the establishment of a dedicated Armed Support Unit (ASU) for the Dublin Metropolitan Region in order to enhanced armed support capability in Dublin and to free up the resources of the Emergency Response Unit.

I can also assure the Deputy that the 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.

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 and are on the ground in communities nationwide.

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 this year.