Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I have made the figures available to the Deputy. They include areas of importance to the Deputy, including Balbriggan, Lusk, Skerries, Ballymun, Dublin Airport, Santry, Coolock, Malahide, Swords, Raheny, Clontarf and Howth. I am happy to be able to make the information available immediately. It is important in the context of policing for reference to be made at all times to the importance of community policing. I share the Deputy’s concern in that regard. He made a point about recruitment, with specific reference to Garda recruitment. The numbers I have given indicate a doubling of the Garda Reserve in the coming period. Moreover, I advise the Deputy that there are in the region of 2,000 civilians undertaking administrative and technical duties within An Garda Síochána. My target is to have 4,000 civilians which would effectively double the current figure. That represents a medium-term target of 20% for the level of civilian participation by 2021. Currently, the figure is 14%. Therefore, this will bring the force more into line with international norms and ensure trained gardaí will not be engaged in administrative work or technical duties that could be done by suitably qualified civilian staff. I will be happy to keep the Deputy informed of the detail, although I know that he will keep me under observation as far as these figures are concerned.

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