Chris Flood
Ceist:56 Mr. Flood asked the Minister for Justice the number of gardaí in the force at present; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16525/95]
Written Answers. - Garda Numbers.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that the strength of the force on 5 December 1995 was 10,708 with a further 454 student gardaí in phases 1, 2 and 3 of training. A campaign to recruit 1,050 gardaí is under way at present with 350 gardaí to be recruited in each of the years 1995, 1996 and 1997. This level of recruitment is aimed at maintaining the strength of the force at approximately 11,000 members.