Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank Deputy Smith for the question. He and I and the Government are committed to working to make sure we build strong, safe communities and that we support the Garda and resource it properly. Everyone, no matter where in the country people live, deserves to be safe and feel safe. This is central to all that we do with regard to our community safety policy.

As Deputy Smith is aware, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of Garda business and he determines the distribution of gardaí throughout the country. I do not have a role in these matters. The Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland recognises that community safety is not solely the responsibility of the Garda or the Department of Justice alone. Rather, it is a whole-of-government responsibility.

Deputy Smith may be aware that a number of actions are in progress under A Policing Service for the Future, which is our implementation plan.

The Garda Commissioner is currently rolling out the new Garda operating model, which seeks to release front-line gardaí from roles that can be effectively carried out by civilian Garda staff, thereby developing a stronger focus on community policing and being able to provide a wide range of policing services locally. The purpose of the new operating model is to increase Garda visibility, community engagement and the deployment of specialist services throughout the country so those specialist services are not too far from any one region or community. This, coupled with some realignment of responsibilities, will help to deliver a community-focused policing service. I think we all agree that community policing has been at the heart of all that An Garda Síochána has done since its foundation over 100 years ago, and I can assure the Deputy that we are committed to maintaining that tradition so all communities, including Border communities, feel safe and are safe.

In relation to the Border counties, including the Deputy's constituency of Cavan-Monaghan, the completion of a new station for Bailieborough this year will support the wider delivery of policing services, while the Cavan armed support unit centre was officially opened on 16 October 2021 to enhance policing and security services in the area. I am also advised that there is ongoing, close co-operation between An Garda Síochána and their colleagues in the Police Service of Northern Ireland to tackle cross-Border criminality, including through the mechanism of the Joint Agency Task Force. I will continue to engage and work with Deputy Smith, and I will certainly feed back his views in regard to the new structures to the Garda Commissioner.

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