asked the Minister for Justice if a Garda recruitment campaign will be undertaken this year; the position of people who sat the preliminary examination this year; and the number of gardaí in the force at the present time.

As I indicated here on 12 June, in the course of the debate on the Garda Síochána Estimate, I am not in a position at this stage to indicate when the next Garda recruitment competition is likely to be held. The matter will be fully considered when the Garda Estimate for 1988 is being prepared and a public announcement will be made as soon as a date for the competition has been decided.

It is not clear what preliminary examination the Deputy is referring to but, if the question refers to the position of persons who completed application forms at local Garda stations this year, the situation is that all applications made to the Garda authorities have been transmitted to the Civil Service Commissioners who will be in touch with each applicant when the next competition is announced. The strength of the Garda Síochána on 31 May 1987 was 11,279.

There can be no doubt that the Garda are doing an excellent job combating serious crime and it is vitally important that their numbers are maintained and that their presence on the ground is also maintained. Because of the serious cut backs in overtime, they are notably absent especially in the Border towns. Is it not vitally important that their presence be maintained by extra recruitment?

I am assured by the Garda Commissioner that he is satisfied the level of attention given by the Garda, not alone in Border counties but in all Garda divisions, is quite satisfactory.