John Curran (Dublin Mid West, Fianna Fail)
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127. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of new entrants recruited to An Garda Síochána in 2016; the number of members that retired from An Garda Síochána in 2016; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3117/17]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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This Government is committed to ensuring visible, effective and responsive policing throughout the country in order to strengthen community engagement, provide reassurance to citizens and prevent 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.

I am informed by the Garda Commissioner that since the reopening of the Garda College in September 2014, 1,200 trainee Gardaí have been recruited and entered the Garda College, of whom 651 entered the Garda College in 2016. Of the 1,200 recruited to date, 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, taking into account expected departures, 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 every Garda Division, in the coming years.

I am further informed by the Garda Commissioner that there were 263 departures from An Garda Síochána in 2016 which includes those who have departed owing to voluntary retirement, compulsory retirement, cost neutral early retirement, medical discharge, resignation, or dismissal.

I can assure the Deputy that projected departures from An Garda Síochána are kept under continuing review and the level of recruitment adjusted as necessary in order to achieve the desired strength of An Garda Síochána.