Vol. 559 No. 2
180 Mr. Kehoe asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position regarding the 2,000 gardaí promised in the programme for Government; when these new gardaí will be on the streets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25980/02]
At present the authorised strength of the Garda Síochána is 12,200. As the current actual strength of the force is below this – it now stands at approximately 11,900 – my first priority is to bridge that gap by making maximum use next year of the existing capacity of the Garda training college, bringing the strength of the force to its highest ever level.
I am also reviewing how best to proceed with further increases in the strength of the force over the lifetime of the Government, in line with the Government commitment, in the light of the present cap on public service numbers announced in the budget.
