Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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91. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of new gardaí that have been allocated to the Cavan-Monaghan Garda division from 2011 to 2016, in tabular form; the rank of each; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31504/16]

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 members 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 am informed that the number of Gardaí assigned to the Cavan/Monaghan Garda Division on the 30 September 2016, the latest date for which figures are readily available was 318, with 14 reserves and 36 civilians.

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. In furtherance of this I recently announced that the Government has approved my proposal for an overall Garda workforce of 21,000 personnel by 2021 comprising 15,000 Garda members, 2,000 Reserve members and 4,000 civilians. In 2017, funding has been provided for the recruitment of 800 Garda recruits and up to 500 civilians to support the wide ranging reform plan in train in An Garda Síochána. Appointments will also be made to the Garda Reserve of approximately 300.

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 15 have been assigned to Cavan/Monaghan. Another 150 will attest later this year and will be assigned to mainstream uniform duties nationwide.

I have requested the specific information requested by the Deputy regarding the allocation of members of An Garda Síochána to the Cavan/Monaghan Garda Division in the period 2011-2016 from the Garda Commissioner and when the information is to hand I will update the Deputy accordingly.