Tommy Broughan (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
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115. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the additional personnel and specialist equipment that will be allocated to the Garda national bureau of criminal investigation, the Garda national technical bureau and the Garda national protective services bureau, respectively, in 2017; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2880/17]

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 Units and I, as Minister, have no direct role in the matter. I am assured by the Garda Commissioner that the allocation of Gardaí 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 have been informed by the Garda Commissioner that the Garda National Bureau of Criminal Investigation, the Garda National Technical Bureau and the Garda National Protective Services Bureau are part of Special Crime Operations. As of 31 November 2016, the latest date for which figures are available, there were 45 members and 4 Civilians attached to the Garda National Bureau of Criminal Investigation; 72 members, 15 civilians and 3 photographers attached to the Garda National Technical Bureau; and 30 members and 7 Civilians attached to the Garda National Protective Services Bureau.

In addition, I am informed that the Commissioner has recently held competitions to fill vacancies for members in Garda Special Crime Operations and the needs of the Garda National Bureau of Criminal Investigation, the Garda National Technical Bureau and the Garda National Protective Services Bureau will be considered when assigning successful candidates from these competitions.

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. To make this a reality for all, the Government has in place a plan to achieve 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.

Since the reopening of the Garda College, 679 recruits have attested as members of An Garda Síochána and have been assigned to mainstream duties nationwide, I am informed by the Garda Commissioner that another 900 trainee Garda are scheduled to attest in 2017 which will bring Garda numbers to around the 13,500 mark by year end.

This focus on investment in personnel is critical. The moratorium on recruitment introduced in 2010 resulted in a significant reduction in the strength of An Garda Síochána. We are now rebuilding the organisation and providing the Commissioner with the resources she needs to allow her to deploy increasing numbers of Gardaí across the organisation including the specialist units.

This investment in personnel is complemented by substantial investment in resources across the board for An Garda Síochána. The Deputy will be aware of the significant resources that have been made available to An Garda Síochána under the Government's Capital Plan 2016 - 2021. In particular, some €205 million in additional funding for Garda ICT and €46 million for new Garda vehicles has been allocated over the lifetime of the plan. This investment will facilitate the provision of more effective policing services and I have no doubt that these new resources now coming on stream will benefit all areas of Garda activity including the Garda National Bureau of Criminal Investigation, the Garda National Technical Bureau and the Garda National Protective Services Bureau.