Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 11 Nov 2003

Vol. 574 No. 1

Written Answers. - Garda Strength.

Cecilia Keaveney

Ceist:

466 Cecilia Keaveney asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of personnel and the number of female personnel broken down by rank currently in the Garda; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26355/03]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. McDowell):

I have been informed by the Garda authorities that the number of personnel and the number of female personnel by rank in the Garda as at 5 November 2003 is as follows.

Rank	TotalPersonnel	FemalePersonnel
Commissioner	1	0
Deputy Commissioner	2	0
Assistant Commissioner	10	1
Chief Superintendent	47	1
Superintendent	173	3
Inspector	292	12
Sergeant	1,958	126
Garda	9,404	1,664
Total	11,887	1,807

Cecilia Keaveney

Ceist:

467 Cecilia Keaveney asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if adequate facilities exist in all Garda stations to accommodate both genders of Garda personnel; and if he will make a statement on the efforts being made to address current staff shortfalls. [26356/03]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. McDowell):

Arrangements are made to accommodate both genders in Garda stations where the serving strength includes men and women. I would also point out that when new stations are planned, or major refurbishments completed, facilities are provided to cater for both male and female Garda and civilian staff.

The personnel strength, all ranks, of the force as at 10 November 2003 is 11,885. In April 2002 the Government agreed to increase the approved strength of the force by 200 to 12,200. Recruitment is currently being carried out to bring the strength of the force to 12,200 by 31 December 2004. A total of 690 Garda trainees were admitted to the Garda college this year. Some164 probationer gardaí are due to be attested to the force on 27 November 2003.