Deirdre Clune
Question:414 Ms Clune asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his proposals to ensure that more gardaí are available on the streets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28547/01]
Written Answers. - Garda Recruitment.
In October 2000, the Government approved my proposals for a Garda recruitment competition and the recruitment of 500 Garda trainees from that competition in 2001. This follows on from decisions to recruit 550 trainees in each of the years 1998 and 1999 and 500 trainees in 2000. The latest recruitment competition will fulfil the commitment in the programme for Government to increase the strength of the force to 12,000 – the highest ever in the history of the State.
I am informed by the Garda authorities, which are responsible for the detailed allocation of personnel and resources to individual areas, that the personnel strength, all ranks, of An Garda Síochána, as at 1 November 2001, was 11,759. This compares to a figure of 10,968 on 31 December 1997 which represents an increase of 791, or 7.21%.
I am further informed by the Garda authorities that an additional 119 gardaí are due to be attested at the Garda College, Templemore on 6 December 2001.