Pat Gallagher (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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86. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality to provide the number of gardaí in the Donegal division at present; the way the numbers compare to the years 2008 and 2010, respectively; if she will provide a district-per-district comparative within the Donegal division; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28904/16]

Pat Gallagher (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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87. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of Garda Reservists in the Donegal divisions at present; if she will provide a Donegal divisional district-per-district breakdown for the number of Garda Reservists; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28905/16]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 86 and 87 together.

As the Deputy will be aware, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the distribution of resources, including Gardaí, among the various Garda Divisions and Districts and I, as Minister, have no direct role in the matter. 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.

The total strength of the Donegal Garda Division on the 31 August 2016, the latest date for which figures are readily available, was 387 with 23 Reserve Gardaí. The detailed information requested on the strength of An Garda Síochána in the Donegal Garda Division by District, on the 31 December 2008 and 2010, and on the 31 August 2016, the latest date for which figures are readily available, is set out in the table.

As the Deputy will be aware, when the financial crisis hit, the Government of the time introduced a moratorium on recruitment and the four year National Recovery Plan, published in 2010, envisaged a steady reduction in Garda numbers. Thankfully, in a recovering economy, we were able to reopen the Garda College in September 2014 and start recruiting again.

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 a Partnership Government" tocontinue the ongoing accelerated Garda recruitment programme with a view to increasing Garda numbers to 15,000 and to double the Garda Reserve. Taking account of projected retirements, reaching a strength of 15,000 will require some 3,200 new Garda members to be recruited on a phased basis over the next four years in addition to the 1,200 that will have been recruited by the end of this year since the reopening of the Garda College in September 2014. So far 534 recruits have attested as members of An Garda Síochána of whom 14 of these have been assigned to Donegal. Another 150 will attest later this year and will be assigned to mainstream uniform duties nationwide. Divisional policing, and all other Garda activities, will undoubtedly benefit from these resources now coming on stream.

The "Programme for a Partnership Government" also includes a commitment to double the Garda Reserve to act in a supportive role undertaking local patrols and crime reduction measures. Reserve members have undergone training in many of the skills required to be an effective full-time member of An Garda Síochána and it is important that we build on the very real contribution that they are making to the policing of communities right across the country.

I have spoken to the Garda Commissioner in relation to the delivery of this commitment and what steps might be taken to ensure that the expanded Reserve is used to best effect in support of visible policing. In this regard, I welcome the recent assignment by the Commissioner of a Superintendent to head up the Garda Reserve Management Office. I understand that Office is currently undertaking an audit of the experience and skills of Reserves which, when completed, will assist Garda management in considering the future role to be played by the Reserve. It has also started work on the development of a recruitment plan with the objective of recruiting and training 300 new Reserves annually, starting next year, to bring the strength of the Reserve up from its current strength of 789 members to 2,000.

*The amalgamation of the Glenties District took place on the 11^thNovember, 2013 which resulted in the Glenties District being apportioned between Ballyshannon and Milford Districts.