Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Thursday, 26 June 2025

Public Accounts Committee

Appropriation Accounts 2023
Vote 20 - An Garda Síochána

2:00 am

Mr. Drew Harris:

First, a lot of the movement into Dublin is to allow consequentials, which are to allow others to move, who have had long-standing transfer requests. That is often back to Cork, Limerick, Galway, etc., and back to more rural areas. That is a movement effectively hidden in those figures and that is continuous. Second, we had a focus on a business plan and operational plan for Dublin city centre. That has delivered results. I am aware Cork is formulating its own business plan for me to consider for the August passing out parade. We want to replicate the success we have seen in Dublin in our other major city centres across the country. We have to manage the numbers we have and there is always tension about who gets what when. National and specialist units also have to be staffed. There is always a balance, but as we continue to grow some of those pressures will ease.