Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)

I am informed by the Garda Commissioner that seven crime prevention officers retired between 2010 and today's date. To crime prevention officers have been appointed by the Commissioner in the same period. The location of those who have retired and who have been appointed are set out in a table I will circulate with this reply.

Where the crime prevention function of the Garda Síochána is not provided at a district level, crime prevention and personal security advice is provided by appropriate divisional resources, including where necessary the services of the divisional crime prevention officer from neighbouring Garda divisions. It also is of course the case that all gardaí have a role in crime prevention.

I have no function in the internal allocation of Garda resources, including personnel but I am aware that Garda management keeps under review distributional Garda personnel in the light of available resources, crime trends and policing priorities at district, divisional and regional level. I have no doubt the position of crime prevention officers will be considered as part of this ongoing process.

Additional information not given on the floor of the House

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