Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 20 April 2016
241. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the extent to which she expects the strength of An Garda Síochána to increase over the next three years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7708/16]
Amharc ar fhreagra243. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the total strength of An Garda Síochána at present; the extent to which it is expected to increase Garda numbers over the next 12 months; if particular attention will be paid to areas experiencing an increase in crime when numbers are deployed in the future; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7710/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 241 and 243 together.
As the Deputy will be aware 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 the best possible use is made of resources. I am informed by the Garda Commissioner that the overall number of personnel available to An Garda Síochána on the 29 February 2016 was close to 16,000, comprising 12,785 Gardaí, 932 Garda Reserve members and over 2,000 civilians.
As the Deputy will appreciate, it is vital that An Garda Síochána is renewed to ensure it has the capacity to provide effective and visible policing throughout the country. With this objective in mind, there have been seven intakes of Garda Trainees to the Garda College since it was reopened in September 2014, giving a total intake of 700. A further 450 recruits will be taken in this year. So far, 395 of the new Garda Trainees have attested as members of An Garda Síochána and have been assigned to mainstream uniform duties in communities nationwide.
It is expected that a further 300 Garda Trainees will attest by the end of this year which, taking account of projected retirements, will bring Garda numbers to around the 13,000 mark. The Government is committed to ongoing seamless recruitment to the force and I expect that the number of Gardaí will approach 14,000 within the next three years.
