James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy for raising what is a very important issue. The resources provided by Government to An Garda Síochána have reached unprecedented levels, with an allocation of €1.88 billion in 2020 and of €1.952 billion in 2021. This has enabled sustained ongoing recruitment into the organisation. As the Deputy will be aware, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the general management and administration of the Garda organisation under the Garda Síochána Act 2005. This includes the deployment of members of An Garda Síochána throughout the State. Neither I nor the Minister have any role in these independent functions. However, I am assured Garda management keeps this distribution of resources under continual review in the context of policing priorities and crime trends, to ensure their optimum use.

I further understand it is a matter for the divisional chief superintendent to determine the optimum distribution of duties among the personnel available to him or her, having regard to the profile of each area in the division and its specific needs.

As I have set out in my earlier responses on Garda resources, the official categorisation as a community garda is simply a reference to those officers who are exclusively assigned to a particular community engagement task. In this regard I am informed by the Garda authorities that, as of 31 May 2021, there is currently one designated community garda in each of the Garda districts of Clonakilty, Bandon and Bantry. However, it is important to note that community policing is at the heart of An Garda Síochána and all gardaí have a role to play in community policing in carrying out their duties. This has never been more evident than in the work carried out by all members of the Garda as we have tackled the Covid-19 pandemic. I extend thanks for the effort and determination of the Garda Síochána right across this country, including my county of Wexford, and for its commitment to protecting our communities during the Covid-19 pandemic.

As of 31 May 2021, a total of 305 Garda members were assigned to the west Cork division, an increase of 10.5% since December 2015, when 276 Garda members were assigned to the division. These members are supported by 37 Garda staff, an increase of almost 61% on December 2015.

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