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 continual review in the context of crime trends and policing priorities so as to ensure that the best possible use is made of resources. The number of Gardaí stationed in Clondalkin district, including Clondalkin, Ballyfermot and Rathcoole stations for the period 30 November 2011 to 30 November 2015 was as set out in the table attached. This Government is committed to ensuring that An Garda Síochána has the capacity to provide effective and visible policing throughout the country. A crucial element of the Government's strategy is ensuring ongoing seamless recruitment to renew An Garda Síochána.
With this in mind Budget 2016 made provision for the recruitment of 600 new Gardaí this year bringing to 1,150 the number of new Gardaí who will have been recruited since the reopening of the Garda College in Templemore in September 2014. So far 296 of these new recruits have been fully attested and are undertaking Garda duties in communities nationwide. I am very pleased that the 2016 recruitment campaign announced last November and which closed on 6 January has attracted strong interest with in the region of 16,500 applications received by the Public Appointments Service which is organising the competition on behalf of the Garda Commissioner.
District
Year
|
Gardaí
|
30-Nov-11
|
221
|
30-Nov-12
|
214
|
30-Nov-13
|
201
|
30-Nov-14
|
198
|
30-Nov-15
|
196
|