Written answers
Thursday, 13 November 2014
Department of Justice and Equality
Garda Deployment
Terence Flanagan (Dublin North East, Independent)
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112. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality her views on the difference in the number of Garda personnel in Malahide Garda station, County Dublin for the years 2008 and 2014; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43533/14]
Terence Flanagan (Dublin North East, Independent)
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128. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality her views on the difference in the number of Garda personnel in Coolock and Raheny Garda Stations for the years 2008 and 2014; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43703/14]
Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 112 and 128 together.
As the Deputy will be aware, one of the primary functions of the Garda Commissioner under the Garda Síochána Acts, is to direct and control An Garda Síochána. In this regard, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the distribution of all resources, including fully sworn members and Reserve Gardaí, among the Garda Regions, Divisions and Districts. Garda management keep this distribution under continuing review in the context of security assessments, crime trends and policing priorities so as to ensure that the best possible use is made of these resources.
I have been informed by the Garda Commissioner that the personnel strength of Malahide, Coolock and Raheny Garda Stations on 31 December 2008 and on 30 September 2014, the latest date for which figures are readily available, was as set out in the table below:
| Station | 2008 | 2014 |
|---|---|---|
| Malahide | 45 | 32 |
| Coolock | 118 | 109 |
| Raheny | 71 | 61 |
The Deputy will be aware that I recently announced a further intake of 200 recruits into the Garda College, Templemore. The intake will be in two batches, one later this year (late November / early December) and the second in January 2015. This will bring to 300 the number of recruits in the Garda College and is a measure of this Government's commitment to ensure that recruitment to An Garda Síochána continues seamlessly. The first batch of recruits (already in training) will attest as members of the Garda Síochána in May of 2015 and will be assigned to Garda Stations by the Garda Commissioner. The needs of the stations referred to by the Deputy will be considered in the overall context of the needs of Garda Stations throughout the country.
It is my intention that there will be ongoing recruitment and I am discussing the details of this with my colleague the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform.
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