Damien English
Question:38 Mr. English asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of new gardaí that will be introduced to the force in 2005. [32571/04]
View answerWednesday, 8 December 2004
Questions (39)
Written answers
The Government recently approved my proposal to increase the strength of the Garda Síochána to 14,000 members on a phased basis, in line with the agreed programme for Government commitment in this regard. This is a key commitment in the programme for Government and its implementation will significantly strengthen the operational capacity of the force.
The programme identifies particular areas with a significant drugs problem and a large number of public order offences but it will be possible to address other priorities as well, such as the need to significantly increase the number of gardaí allocated to traffic duties as part of the new Garda traffic corps. I have already promised that the additional gardaí will not be put on administrative duties. They will be put directly into frontline, operational, high visibility policing and they will have a real impact. The advertisement campaign for a new Garda recruitment competition was launched on Thursday, 25 November 2004.
For the year 2005 there will be an intake to the Garda College of 1,096 new recruits. In addition, it is estimated that 523 Garda trainees will become attested members of the force in 2005.