Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 25 Jul 1996

Vol. 468 No. 4

Written Answers. - Student Garda Numbers.

Noel Treacy

Question:

661 Mr. N. Treacy asked the Minister for Justice the number of student gardaí admitted to Templemore Training Centre in each of the years 1995 and 1996; the number to be admitted in 1997; the number currently awaiting a call to training; the number currently in training in Templemore College; if she proposes to have a new Garda entrance competition in 1996 and/or 1997; if so, the dates of these competitions; the number to be admitted to the Garda force in the year immediately ahead; if she has satisfied herself with the current strength of the Garda force; the current strength of the Garda force, including the number of gardaí of all ranks in each division in the country; the number attached to Garda Headquarters; the number serving overseas; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15787/96]

Minister for Justice (Mrs. Owen)

The number of student gardaí admitted to the Garda College in 1995 was 350, and, to date, in 1996 was 174. Two more intakes of 163 trainees are scheduled each for next week and October 1996. The number scheduled to be admitted for training in 1997 is 600. There are 144 candidates from the current competition remaining to be medically examined. These medical examinations are currently in progress and it is not possible at this point to state how many will be declared medically fit for entry into the college. There are 176 trainees in Phase I and Phase III training at the Garda College, with a further 179 on Phase II at selected Garda stations, giving a total of 355 in training.

The current strength of the Garda Síochána, including all ranks and 61 members serving overseas on United Nations duty, is 10,768. It is not possible, in the time available, to give the detailed information sought by the Deputy in relation to the distribution of numbers between divisions, headquarters, etc. This information will be communicated to the Deputy as soon as it is available.

I expect to submit my proposals for Garda recruitment for the three to four years period commencing 1998 to Government later this year. The current recruitment competition, which covers the period 1995 to 1997 inclusive, provided for the recruitment of 1,050 new gardaí. This figure is being augmented by a further 400 following the recently announced crime package. The recruitment of 200 civilians under that package will also be a significant boost to the operational strength of the force through the release to operational duties of a comparable number of gardaí.

I am satisfied that all these measures will provide the Garda Síochána with the necessary manpower resources to meet the challenges it now faces.