Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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117. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the total number of women members of An Garda Síochána, at all ranks at present; the degree to which the numbers have fluctuated over the past ten years to date in 2016; and if she will make a statement on the matter [27759/16]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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I have been informed by the Garda Commissioner that the total female strength in An Garda Síochána as of the 31 August 2016, the latest date for which figures are readily available, was 3,370 or 26.2% of the total strength in comparison to the figures available for the 31 August 2006 which were 2,323 or 18.5% of the total strength.

I was very pleased to announce the commencement of a new recruitment campaign for trainee Gardaí on 8 September. The campaign is being organised by the Public Appointments Service on behalf of the Commissioner. The Garda Authorities have assured me that as part of this campaign a concerted effort is being made to encourage female candidates and members of minority and new communities to apply so that the membership of An Garda Síochána will reflect the diverse communities that it serves.

The following table sets out the rank of these members on both dates.