Vol. 415 No. 3
12 Mr. Bell asked the Minister for Justice when promotions in the Garda will be implemented and the number of Garda recruits his Department will sanction, or have sanctioned for recruitment in 1992; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Two hundred and sixty Garda trainees will be appointed during 1992 from the recruitment competition currently in progress, from which a total of 1,000 Garda trainees will be appointed. The first intake from the competition of approximately 65 successful candidates will be in April 1992, and there will be further intakes of a similar number in June, September and December of this year.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that 74 of the 214 promotions for the Garda Síochána which I announced as part of my law enforcement package for 1992 have already been made. The balance of these promotions and further promotions possible under the ongoing arrangements for the filling of one in every three vacancies in the promotional ranks will be made during the current year.
Will the Minister indicate whether the promised additional recruitment of 1,000 members will be met during 1992?
The recruitment of an additional 1,000 members is ongoing. There were 13,370 applicants for the 1,000 positions, 7,777 male and 5,593 female; 8,588 met the educational qualifications and 4,200 have been called for competitive interview. That process is taking place and the first intake will be in April.
Will the Minister use his influence to ensure that, as a result of this recruitment, foot patrols will be strengthened to combat general vandalism and crime?
It has always been my policy in the Department of Justice to ensure the maximum number of members of the force are on the street instead of in offices behind desks. They are trained to be out among the people and I take the Deputy's point.
