Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent) | Oireachtas source

On behalf of the Minister for Justice, Deputy O'Callaghan, I thank the Deputy for raising this matter and for his work in this regard. The Minister was in Cork last Friday and received briefings from senior members of An Garda Síochána. I assure the Deputy that the Minister and the Government are resolute in its support of An Garda Síochána. We want to build safe and secure communities, and a well-resourced policing service is critical to achieving that. In budget 2025, an unprecedented sum of €2.48 billion was allocated, which is allowing for sustained investment in recruitment, technology and equipment.

The Garda Commissioner is responsible for operational matters, as the Deputy rightly said, policing decisions including the distribution and allocation of Garda members and resources between the various Garda stations and divisions. The Minister has no role in these decisions and cannot direct the Commissioner or An Garda Síochána to allocate Garda members to certain Garda divisions or stations. However, he would like to assure the Deputy that the Garda Commissioner and his management team keep the distribution of Garda members and resources under constant review.

Garda management take operational needs into account and consult closely with local management in each division. Consideration is also given to commitments and undertakings outlined in the annual policing plan and priorities as determined in delivering a policing service for the future.

As of 31 January 2025, the latest date for which figures are available, there were 1,282 Garda members assigned to Cork with 616 Garda members assigned to Cork county and 666 assigned to Cork city. As of the same date, 21 Garda members were assigned to Carrigaline Garda station, 23 to Douglas, 19 to Bishopstown and 50 to Ballincollig. In addition, as of 31 January 2025, there were 226 Garda staff assigned to Cork. Garda staff work alongside Garda members to carry out vital roles in the organisation to increase the availability of gardaí to focus on important front-line duties.

Increasing Garda visibility is a priority for the Minister and it is important to note that An Garda Síochána do not police on a station basis. Policing for an area is delivered using all resources in a community engagement area and supported by divisional resources and units.

This approach is supported by the revised Garda operating model. Under the model, Cork north division and Cork west division have merged to form Cork county division since August 2024. The model was introduced after recommendations from the Garda Síochána Inspectorate and the Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland, and based on feedback from gardaí of all ranks. The model, coupled with some realignment of responsibilities, will help to deliver a consistent community-focused policing service and allows local gardaí to draw upon specialised services available from the divisional-based units.

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