Written answers

Wednesday, 20 April 2016

Department of Justice and Equality

Garda Deployment

Photo of Aengus Ó SnodaighAengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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209. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality to provide a breakdown of both civilian and members of An Garda Síochána based in Stepaside and Dundrum Garda Síochána stations since 2010 to date. [7288/16]

Photo of Aengus Ó SnodaighAengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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233. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality to provide a breakdown of both civilian and members of An Garda Síochána based in Stepaside and Dundrum Garda Síochána stations since 2010 to date in 2016. [7546/16]

Photo of Frances FitzgeraldFrances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 209 and 233 together.

As the Deputy will appreciate, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the distribution of resources, including personnel, among the various Garda Divisions and Districts and I, as Minister, have no direct role in the matter. Garda management keeps this distribution of resources under continual review in the context of crime trends and policing priorities so as to ensure that the optimum use is made of these resources.

I have been informed by the Garda Commissioner that the number of Garda and civilians attached to Stepaside and Dundrum Garda stations from 31 December 2010 to the 29 February 2016, the latest date for which figures are readily available, are as set out in the tables overleaf. The Deputy will be aware that Stepaside Garda Station closed on the 14 March 2013.

As the Deputy will appreciate it is vital that An Garda Síochána is renewed in order to ensure that it has the capacity to provide effective and visible policing throughout the country. With this objective in mind, there have been seven intakes of Garda Trainees to the Garda College since it was reopened in September 2014 giving a total intake of 700. A further 450 will be taken in this year. So far 395 of the new Garda Trainees have attested as members of An Garda Síochána and have been assigned to mainstream uniform duties in communities nationwide. It is expected that a further 300 trainee Gardaí will attest this year and it will be a matter for the Garda Commissioner to assign them as she considers appropriate. I am assured that the needs of all Garda Divisions are fully considered when determining the allocation of newly attested Gardaí.

Garda Strength 2010-2106
YearStepasideDundrum
20103178
20112973
20123574
20130100
2014089
2015085
2016*085
*as of the 29 February, 2016
Civilians 2010-2016
Year
Stepaside
Dundrum
2010
1
2
2011
1
2
2012
1
2
2013
0
3
2014
0
2
2015
0
2
2016*
0
2
*as of the 29 February, 2016

Photo of Peter FitzpatrickPeter Fitzpatrick (Louth, Fine Gael)
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210. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if she will increase the number of gardaí in the Mid-Louth Ardee district (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7331/16]

Photo of Frances FitzgeraldFrances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy will appreciate, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the distribution of resources, including personnel, among the various Garda Divisions and Districts and I, as Minister, have no direct role in the matter. Garda management keeps this distribution of resources under continual review in the context of crime trends and policing priorities so as to ensure that the optimum use is made of these resources.

Ardee District forms part of the Louth Division. I have been informed by the Garda Commissioner that on the 29 February 2016, the latest date for which figures are readily available, there were 285 members assigned to this Division. On the same date, there were 35 members and 9 Garda Reserves assigned to Ardee Garda District. The District includes Castlebellingham, Collon and Louth Garda Stations.

I am further informed that the work of local Gardaí in the Louth Division is augmented by a number of Garda national units which are assisting with covert and overt operations targeting prolific criminals and dissidents who reside within and outside this jurisdiction. Furthermore there is ongoing liaison between An Garda Síochána and the Police Service of Northern Ireland under the auspices of an agreed Cross-Border Policing Strategy to continue the excellent levels of cooperation between both police services in addressing crime and terrorist activities in all its manifestations.

As the Deputy will appreciate it is vital that An Garda Síochána is renewed in order to ensure that it has the capacity to provide effective and visible policing throughout the country. With this objective in mind, there have been seven intakes of Garda Trainees to the Garda College since it was reopened in September 2014 giving a total intake of 700. A further 450 will be taken in this year. So far 395 of the new Garda Trainees have attested as members of An Garda Síochána and have been assigned to mainstream uniform duties in communities nationwide. The Garda Commissioner has informed me that 18 of these newly attested members have been assigned to the Louth Division. It is expected that a further 300 trainee Gardaí will attest this year and it will be a matter for the Garda Commissioner to assign them as she considers appropriate. I am assured that the needs of all Garda Divisions are fully considered when determining the allocation of newly attested Gardaí.

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