Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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82. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the extent to which she can give assurance that adequate resources remain available to An Garda Síochána to intensify policing activity in areas currently beset with the threat of criminal gangs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17604/16]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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The 2016 Budget allocation of €1.5 billion for An Garda Síochána includes over €67 million in additional funding which, in addition to the recruitment of new trainee Gardaí, also provides additional funding for Garda surveillance, special operations and targeted, intelligence-led policing.

The Deputy will be aware that the Government recently approved some €55 million, based on estimates provided by Garda management, to maintain the necessary policing response to tackle gangland and associated crime. This will allow for:

- concentrated policing targeting gang related crime;

- the continued intensive and strategic targeting of burglaries and related crime through ongoing support for Operation Thor; and

- continued support for measures against terrorism.

The Deputy will also be aware of the significant funding of some €46 million for the Garda Fleet and the €205 million investment in Garda ICT under the Capital Plan.

In addition, the Government is committed to continue the ongoing accelerated Garda recruitment programme with a view to increasing Garda numbers to 15,000.

I am determined to ensure that An Garda Síochána continues to be sufficiently resourced to meet the many challenges with which it is faced.