David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Garda management keeps the distribution of resources under continual review in the context of crime trends and policing priorities. With regard to the deployment of Garda personnel, a distribution model is used which takes into account all relevant factors, including population, crime trends and the policing needs of each individual division. It is the responsibility of the divisional officer to allocate personnel within his or her division as appropriate. The Minister is advised by the Garda Commissioner that recent census data is currently being incorporated into the personnel allocation model. The Minister understands that census information received on a specific county format is amended by the Garda Síochána analysis service to reflect Garda divisional boundaries. However, it should be noted that ratios, such as the number of garda per head of population, are not an appropriate tool to use when considering the allocation of Garda resources as they fail to take into account, among other matters, the fact that crime levels and types can vary significantly among communities of similar population size.

The Government’s plans for an overall Garda workforce of 21,000 are complemented by substantial investment in resources across the board for the force. Of the significant resources which have been made available to the force under the Government’s capital plan 2016 to 2021, €270 million of additional funding has been provided for ICT and €46 million for new Garda vehicles. The investment will facilitate the provision of more effective policing services. The Minister expects the DMR west division, like all other divisions, will benefit from these new resources becoming available.

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