Vol. 575 No. 3
68 Ms O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the total membership of the Garda at the latest date for which figures are available; the progress made to date with regard to the commitment to recruit an additional 2,000 gardaí; the current annual capacity of the Garda Training College at Templemore; his plans to extend the college or otherwise increase training capacity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28249/03]
I have been informed by the Garda authorities who are responsible for the detailed allocation of resources, including personnel, that the personnel strength of the Garda Síochána, all ranks, as at 20 November 2003 is 11,875.
It is my policy, as the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, and the policy of the Government to prioritise Garda recruitment and training to bring the strength of the force up to its maximum authorised strength of 12,200 as soon as possible making maximum use of the existing capacity of the Garda Training College at Templemore. Some 690 Garda trainees have been taken into the Garda college during this year. A new Garda recruitment competition is under way.
The commissioner has projected, based on the anticipated rate of retirement, that the maximum authorised force strength of 12,200 will be achieved during 2004. I have already made it quite clear that I will not be content with raising the strength of the Garda Síochána to a historic high of 12,200 by the end of 2004. As soon as budgetary circumstances permit I hope that this Government can make progress towards the target of 14,000 provided in the programme for Government.
