As the Deputy will be aware, one of the primary functions of the Garda Commissioner under the Garda Síochána Acts, is to direct and control An Garda Síochána. In this regard and as I have previously stated in my reply to the Deputy on the 26 November 2014, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the distribution of personnel among the Garda Regions, Divisions, and Districts. Garda management keep this distribution under continuing review in the context of crime trends and policing priorities so as to ensure that the best possible use is made of these resources.
The first intake since 2009 of 100 new recruits entered training at the Garda College in Templemore on Monday 15th September 2014 and I recently announced a further intake of 200 recruits into the Garda College, Templemore. The intake will be in two batches, the first was on 15 December and the second in early 2015. This will bring to 300 the number of recruits in the Garda College and is a measure of this Government's commitment to ensure that recruitment to An Garda Síochána continues seamlessly. The first batch of recruits (already in training) will attest as members of the Garda Síochána in May of 2015 and will be assigned to Garda Stations throughout the country by the Garda Commissioner. The Garda Commissioner, will of course, continue to keep the needs of the Kildare Division under review within the overall context of the needs of Garda Divisions throughout the country.
