James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy for raising the important issue of the number of gardaí assigned to Bandon, Bantry and Clonakilty districts. The Government is committed to building stronger and safer communities. Since 2015, the Government has increased the budget for An Garda Síochána by approximately €672 million or 46%. This has allowed for sustained and ongoing recruitment. We are committed to delivering the necessary resources to bring the number of Garda members to 15,000 and beyond.

In respect of individual Garda divisions, the Deputy will appreciate that the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the administration and management of An Garda Síochána, including responsibility for the recruitment, training and deployment of Garda members. I am assured that the Commissioner keeps the allocation of these resources under continual review, in line with crime and population trends, to ensure their optimum use.

I am informed by the Garda authorities that as of the end of December 2022, a total of 100 Garda members were assigned to the Bandon district, 54 to Bantry and 63 to Clonakilty. There has been a 5% increase in the number of gardaí assigned to the west Cork division since 2015 and a 35% increase in the number of civilian Garda staff assigned to west Cork. The increase in Garda civilian staff has helped free up gardaí from back-office duties for front-line policing work.

Since the reopening of the Garda College in September 2014, a total of 4,029 Garda members have attested, including 369 probationers who attested in 2022 and 24 probationers who attested on 13 January this year. I am advised that 36 probationer gardaí have been allocated to Bandon, Bantry and Clonakilty since 2015.

I assure the Deputy that the Government is committed to building stronger, safer communities and a strengthened, well-resourced Garda Síochána is central to this policy. As of the end of December 2022, there were 14,133 sworn Garda members across the country. This is a significant increase from 12,816 Garda members nationwide in 2015. These gardaí are supported by 3,126 Garda civilian staff, which represents an increase of more than 50% on the number assigned in 2015. This increases the availability of gardaí to concentrate on front-line policing duties.

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