Finian McGrath
Ceist:332. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if she will support a matter (details supplied) regarding policing. [5505/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuesday, 10 February 2015
Ceisteanna (332)
Freagraí scríofa
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 Clontarf Garda Station on 31 December 2014, the latest date for which figures are readily available, was 68. There are also four Garda Reserves and one civilian attached to Clontarf Garda Station.
As the Deputy will be aware, 100 new recruits entered training at the Garda College in Templemore in September 2014, the first intake of Garda recruits since 2009. This was followed by an intake of a further 100 new recruits in December and another 100 last week. This has brought the number of recruits in the Garda College to 300 and is a measure of this Government's commitment to the Garda Síochána. The first intake of recruits will attest as members of An Garda Síochána in May of this year and will be assigned to Garda Stations by the Garda Commissioner. The Garda Commissioner, will of course, continue to keep the needs of Clontarf Garda Station under review within the overall context of the needs of Garda Divisions throughout the country.