Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Social Democrats)
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121. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of gardaí stationed in Athlone, Mullingar, Moate and Longford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44178/17]

Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Social Democrats)
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122. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of gardaí stationed in counties Westmeath and Longford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44179/17]

Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Social Democrats)
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123. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of gardaí stationed in County Roscommon; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44180/17]

Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 121 to 123, inclusive, together.

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. 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.

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 to 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.

This plan is progressing apace. This year, 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. Funding has also been provided for the recruitment of 300 Garda Reserves.

I am pleased to say that Budget 2018 will support the continuation of this high level of investment in the three strands of the Garda workforce and ensure that the vision of an overall workforce of 21,000 by 2021 remains on track.

I am informed by the Commissioner that the strength of the Roscommon/Longford Division, on 31 August 2017, the latest date for which figures are readily available, was 305 with 9 Garda Reserves and 29 civilians attached to the Division. The Athlone, Mullingar and Moate Garda stations form part of the Westmeath Division. The strength of the Westmeath Division on 31 August 2017, the latest date for which figures are readily available, was 267 with 13 Reserves and 23 civilians. When appropriate, the work of local Gardaí is supported by a number of Garda national units such as the National Bureau of Criminal Investigation, the Garda National Economic Crime Bureau and the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau.

I am further informed by the Commissioner, that since the reopening of the Garda College in September 2014, close to 1,400 recruits have attested as members of An Garda Síochána and have been assigned to mainstream duties nationwide with 10 and 27 being assigned to the Roscommon/Longford and Westmeath Divisions respectively. I am also informed that another 200 trainee Garda are scheduled to attest this year which will see Garda numbers, taking account of projected retirements, increase to around the 13,500 mark by year end - an increase of 500 since the end of 2016.

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 needed to deploy increasing numbers of Gardaí across every Garda Division, including the Roscommon/Longford and the Westmeath Divisions in the coming years.

For the Deputy's information I have set out in the table, as provided by the Commissioner, the number of gardaí assigned to the Roscommon/Longford and the Westmeath Garda Divisions as of 31 August 2017 the latest date for which figures are readily available.

Strength of the Roscommon/Longford Division 31 August 2017

Strength of the Westmeath Division 31 August 2017