Derek Nolan (Galway West, Labour)
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560. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of community gardaí currently in place and their location by county; his plans to increase the number of community gardaí; his policy and strategy in respect of community gardaí. [55469/13]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy will appreciate, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the distribution of personnel, including Community Gardaí, among the Garda Regions, Divisions, and Districts. Garda management keep this distribution under continuing review in the context of crime trends and policing priorities so as to ensure that the best possible use is made of these resources. The Deputy will be aware that all Gardaí have responsibility, inter alia, to deal with Community Policing issues as and when they arise. I have however, been informed by the Garda Commissioner that the personnel strength of full time members, Garda Reserve members, civilian staff and dedicated Community Gardaí, broken down by Division on 30 November 2013, the latest date for which figures are readily available, is set out in the following table:

30 November 2013

Community policing is the underpinning philosophy and ethos through which An Garda Síochána delivers a service across the country. The Garda Síochána National Model of Community Policing requires each District Officer (Garda Superintendent) to establish a Community Policing Team in their District within the context of available resources. Details of these policies are on the Community Policing page of the Garda website.