Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

As the Deputy will be aware and appreciate, decisions in regard to the provision and allocation of Garda resources are a matter for the Garda Commissioner. I am informed by the Commissioner that Togher and Anglesea Street districts are part of the Cork city division, with a Garda strength totalling 703 as of 31 May 2019. In addition, there are 35 Garda Reserve members and 91 Garda staff attached to the division.

Since the reopening of the Garda College in September 2014, almost 2,800 recruits have attested as members of An Garda Síochána and have been assigned to mainstream duties nationwide, of whom 69 were assigned to the Cork city division, with 26 and 15 assigned to Anglesea Street and Togher districts, respectively.

The crime statistics for the first quarter of 2019 were published last Monday by the CSO. To be of assistance to the Deputy, I will ask the CSO to make available up-to-date crime statistics for the Cork region. However, I can inform the Deputy that the statistics on theft and burglary offences are more encouraging, with a welcome fall in rates of 2.6% and 10.3%, respectively.

As the Deputy will be aware, last year the number of gardaí reached more than 14,000 for the first time since 2011. The Government has further increased the budget for An Garda Síochána to €1.76 billion this year and the Commissioner plans to recruit a total of 600 trainee gardaí and 600 Garda staff this year. As we reach the end of the first half of 2019, I understand this is on target to be achieved. This will facilitate the redeployment of a further 500 fully-trained gardaí from administrative duties to front-line policing, which is the principal role and function of a member of An Garda Síochána. Ongoing recruitment is providing the resources needed to deliver a visible and effective policing service to communities in the Cork city region.

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