Vol. 559 No. 5
335 Cecilia Keaveney asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the impact which the capping of the Civil Service numbers will have on Garda recruitment; and if he will make a statement on the need for a maintenance of existing Garda levels and an expansion of the force. [26342/02]
The authorised strength of the Garda Síochána currently is 12,200. As the cur rent actual strength of the force has not yet reached this figure – 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.
As long as the cap on public service numbers remains in place, it will not be possible to recruit sufficient additional trainees to progress further beyond 12,200.
