As the Deputy will appreciate, 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.
I have been informed by the Garda Commissioner that the personnel strength of An Garda Síochána from 31 December 2005 to 28 February 2015, the latest date for which figures are readily available, is as set out in the table.
Year
|
Strength
|
Reserve
|
31/12/2005
|
12,264
|
N/A
|
31/12/2006
|
12,954
|
30
|
31/12/2007
|
13,755
|
205
|
31/12/2008
|
14,412
|
319
|
31/12/2009
|
14,547
|
478
|
31/12/2010
|
14,377
|
700
|
31/12/2011
|
13,894
|
877
|
31/12/2012
|
13,424
|
991
|
31/12/2013
|
13,093
|
1,164
|
31/12/2014
|
12,799
|
1,124
|
28/02/2015
|
12,763
|
1,100*
|
*Estimated figure