Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy for raising this matter today. As she stated at the outset, the management or administration of the An Garda Síochána and deployment of resources is a matter for the Garda Commissioner. These decisions are made in the continued context of crime trends in a certain area and policing priorities. When issues arise, as they do, the Commissioner and his team respond to them as quickly as possible. The Deputy will appreciate that where the specific resources go and their allocation is not something I can touch on.

What I can say is the Government and I, as Minister of Justice, are committed to ensuring there is strong, visible policing in local communities. Budget 2022 reflects this commitment very clearly. It has an unprecedented allocation of more than €2 billion in Garda funding for the coming year. This funding will include provision for the recruitment of up to 800 new Garda recruits and 400 Garda staff. I appreciate it will take time for the new recruits to go through Templemore but it is a commitment to additional resources on the ground and it is hoped it will bring us to a figure of about 15,000 next year. The more Garda staff we have, the more people who are now doing desk duties can get out and about on the ground.

This increase in the number of Garda members and staff will deliver significant growth in operational policing hours nationwide and improved services to the public generally. The programme for Government and Justice Plan 2021 contain a range of priority commitments and actions to support visible policing nationwide, chief of which is the implementation of the report of the Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland through the Government' s implementation plan, A Policing Service for the Future.

The roll-out of the new Garda operating model under A Policing Service for the Future will deliver increased Garda visibility in communities by facilitating a wider range of locally delivered policing services, underpinned by the redeployment of gardaí from non-core duties to front-line policing throughout the country. Visible policing means safer communities that feel supported in daily life and that the benefits of effective Garda resources at community level can be felt by each and every one of us.

Community safety is the cornerstone of the Garda transformation programme and, indeed, has always been the primary focus of An Garda Síochána. This has been especially evident throughout the Covid-19 period, where gardaí throughout the country have consolidated their connection with local communities. They have engaged with local authorities and local organisations and have done a fantastic job in supporting us through what is still a very difficult time.

The Deputy referred to Swords. It is important to outline some of the changes that have happened there and in surrounding areas in terms of overall Garda numbers. As of 31 October, the latest date for when figures are available, Swords Garda station had a station party of 83 members of all ranks assigned, an increase of over 15% since the end of 2016 when there were only 72 members assigned.

The Coolock district, which includes Swords, Coolock and Malahide Garda stations, currently has a strength of 234 members of all ranks. This is an increase of 12.5% since the end of 2016 when there were 208 members assigned to the district. Overall, the Dublin metropolitan region, DMR, north has a strength of 781 members at the end of October, an increase of 15.5% since the end of 2016. I appreciate more are needed - that is the case across the country - but those numbers will continue to increase with the additional 800 members next year.

Three pilots are being rolled out following the very successful task force in Dublin's inner city.

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