Niall Collins (Limerick, Fianna Fail)
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539. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the total strength of the Garda National Surveillance Unit on an annual basis since its inception; the total budget per annum since its inception; the number of operations conducted per annum since its inception; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9406/14]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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It is the policy of An Garda Síochána not to comment on any matters relating to the operation of the National Surveillance Unit.

Derek Nolan (Galway West, Labour)
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540. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality further to Parliamentary Question No. 560, if he will provide a breakdown, per county, of community gardaí that have been in place every year since 2008; if his attention has been drawn to any plans to increase the numbers of community gardaí; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9412/14]

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. Community policing is the underpinning philosophy and ethos through which An Garda Síochána delivers a service across the country. In that context, I have been informed by the Garda Commissioner that the number of dedicated community Gardaí on 31 December 2008 to 2013, and on 31 January 2014, the latest date for which figures are readily available, is set out in the table hereunder:

*Divisional boundary realignments took place in 2009 resulting in changes to the structures of some Garda Divisions.