Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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95. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of gardaí employed at the end of 2015 by region; the ranks in which they were employed; the numbers who have applied under the early retirement scheme by location and rank; the minimum number of gardaí deemed necessary for the security of the State; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31563/16]

Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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97. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the current figures detailing the total deployment of gardaí by region, division, district and sub-district across the country; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31566/16]

Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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107. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of gardaí employed at present by region; the ranks in which they are employed; the numbers who have applied under the early retirement scheme by location and grade; the minimum number of gardaí deemed necessary for the security of the State; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31617/16]

Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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120. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the current total deployment of gardaí by region, division, district and sub-district across the country; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31680/16]

Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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122. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the minimum establishment required for each district and the policing requirements of each division; the way this affects the manner in which Garda resources are distributed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31686/16]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 95, 97, 107, 120 and 122 together.

As the Deputy will appreciate, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the distribution of resources among the various Garda Regions, Divisions and Districts, and I as Minister, have no direct role in the matter. I am assured by the Garda Commissioner that Garda personnel assigned throughout the country, together with the overall policing arrangements and operational strategies are continually monitored and reviewed. Such monitoring ensures that optimum use is made of resources and the best possible policing service is provided to the general public. In regard to the deployment of Garda personnel, a distribution model is used which takes into account all relevant factors including population, crime trends and the policing needs of each individual Division. It is the responsibility of the Divisional Officer to allocate personnel within his/her Division as appropriate.

I have been informed by the Garda Commissioner that the total Garda Strength as of the 30 September 2016, the latest date for which figures are readily available, was 12,850. The detailed information requested by the Deputy regarding the deployment of Garda personnel is currently being collated and when it is to hand I will inform the Deputy accordingly.

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 and are assigned to mainstream uniform duties nationwide. Another 150 will attest later this year.

In order to continue to ensure seamless ongoing recruitment I was very pleased to announce the commencement of a new recruitment campaign on 8 September. The campaign is being organised by the Public Appointments Service on behalf of the Commissioner. The existing recruitment campaign (launched last November) is ongoing and successful candidates will continue to be called from that campaign this year and into next year. It is expected that successful candidates from the new campaign will enter the Garda College from mid-2017.