David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

On behalf of the Minister, Deputy Flanagan, who sends his apologies for not being here, I thank the Senator for raising this matter. As he will appreciate, the allocation of Garda resources, including personnel, is a matter for the Garda Commissioner and his management team. The Minister has no direct role in this matter.

The Minister is informed by the Garda Commissioner that in regard to the deployment of Garda personnel a distribution model is used which takes into account all relevant factors, including population, crime trends and the policing needs of individual Garda divisions, including the DMR north division, with a view to providing an effective and responsive police service. This may include directing resources at areas designated as hot spots for anti-social behaviour. The area referenced by the Senator forms part of the DMR north division and the Minister is informed by the Garda Commissioner that the Garda strength in this division as of 31 October 2018, the latest date for which figures are readily available, was 698. There are also 40 Garda reserves and 48 civilians attached to the division. In addition, where appropriate, the work of local gardaí is supported by a number of national Garda units, such as the National Bureau of Criminal Investigation, the armed support units, the Garda National Economic Crime Bureau and the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau. Working with communities to tackle public disorder and reduce anti-social behaviour remains the key priority for An Garda Síochána. This approach includes a strong focus on quality of life issues and collaboration with local authorities to help address the causes of anti-social behaviour.

The Minister emphasises that joint policing committees have an important role in facilitating consultation, co-operation and synergy on policing and crime issues between An Garda Síochána, local authorities and elected public representatives. The active and constructive engagement by elected representatives on the committees is very important. Garda visibility is also important in tackling anti-social behaviour in our communities and this Government remains committed to ensuring a strong and visible police presence throughout the country to maintain and strengthen community engagement, to provide reassurance to citizens and to deter crime. Since the reopening of the Garda college in September 2014, just under 2,400 recruits have attested and been assigned to mainstream duties nationwide, including 78 to the DMR north division. Taking account of projected retirements, Garda numbers will reach approximately 14,000 by the end of this year. This focus and investment in personnel is critical. The moratorium on recruitment introduced in 2010 resulted in a significant reduction in the strength of An Garda Síochána and the organisation is now being rebuilt. The Minister is providing the Garda Commissioner with the resources to deploy increasing numbers of Garda to every Garda division, including the DMR north division, to increase Garda visibility and to protect our communities from the type of anti-social behaviour referred to by the Senator.