Written answers

Tuesday, 14 June 2016

Department of Justice and Equality

Garda Resources

Photo of Niamh SmythNiamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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134. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality when she will fill the post of inspector in Bailieborough Garda Síochána station in County Cavan following the relocation of a senior inspector to another neighbouring division (details supplied). [15982/16]

Photo of Frances FitzgeraldFrances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy will appreciate, it is the Garda Commissioner who is responsible for the distribution of resources, including personnel, among the various Garda Divisions and I, as Minister, have no direct role in the matter. I am assured by the Garda Commissioner that the allocation of Gardaí is continually monitored and reviewed taking into account all relevant factors including crime trends, demographics, and security assessments relating to the area in question so as to ensure optimal use is made of Garda human resources.

Appointments to the rank inspector are a matter for the Commissioner under section 14 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005. I am further informed that a competition in accordance with the Garda Síochána (Promotion) Regulations 2006 Regulations for the selection of persons for appointment to the rank of inspector is to be concluded shortly and that the needs of all Garda Divisions will be considered when assigning the successful candidates.

The area mentioned by the Deputy is in the Cavan/Monaghan Division. I am informed by the Commissioner that, on the 30 April 2016, the latest date for which figures are readily available, there were 314 members assigned the Division, of which 62 members were assigned to the Bailieboro Garda District. The table below sets out in detail the rank and location of these members.

The O'Higgins report identified a number of weaknesses in the conduct of Garda investigations in the Cavan Monaghan District of the Garda Síochána in the period 2007/8. I am advised by the Garda Commissioner that under new supervisory arrangements daily Performance Accountability and Learning Framework (PALF) meetings take place at which incidents which have occurred in the previous 24 hours are discussed by the District Superintendent with Gardaí and supervisors. Directions and instructions are provided on matters under investigation. In a further recent development (PULSE Release 6.8) a nominated supervisor is allocated to all matters under investigation. Required actions are marked on associated PULSE incidents under investigation and must be attended to by investigating Gardaí. All incidents are reviewed by managers to ensure all actions and investigations are progressed. The Commissioner has assured me that the new supervisory arrangements in place should ensure that, as far as possible, there is no recurrence of the types of incidents which feature in the O'Higgins report.

CAVAN/MONAGHAN Garda Division 30 April 2016

DistrictStationGDSGINSUCSACTotal
BAILIEBORO298138
BALLYJAMESDUFF 314
COOTEHILL66
KINGSCOURT112
MULLAGH11
SHERCOCK11
VIRGINIA9110
BAILIEBORO TOTAL5011162
BALLYBAY314
CARRICKMACROSS3091141
CASTLEBLANEY23528
ROCKCORRY112
CARRICKMACROSSTOTAL57161175
ARVA213
BALLINAGH11
BALLYCONNELL14216
BELTURBET516
BLACKLION213
CAVAN5261160
DOWRA11
KILLESHANDRA11
KILNALECK213
SWANLINBAR11
CAVANTOTAL81121195
CLONES314
EMYVALE213
MONAGHAN56132273
SCOTSTOWN112
MONAGHANTOTAL62162282
DIVISIONAL

TOTAL
2505545314

Photo of James LawlessJames Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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136. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of members of An Garda Síochána who are community gardaí in each of the districts of the Naas division in County Kildare; if she will increase the number of community gardaí in these districts; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16044/16]

Photo of Frances FitzgeraldFrances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy will appreciate, it is the Garda Commissioner who is responsible for the distribution of resources, including Community Gardaí, among the various Garda Divisions and I, as Minister, have no direct role in the matter. I am assured by the Garda Commissioner that the allocation of Gardaí is continually monitored and reviewed taking into account all relevant factors including crime trends, demographics, and security assessments relating to the area in question so as to ensure optimal use is made of Garda human resources.

I have been informed by the Garda Commissioner that, as of the 30 April 2016, the latest date for which figures are readily available, there were 311 members assigned to the Kildare Division. Of these 114 are assigned to the Naas District and, while there are currently no Community Gardaí attached to the Naas District, the Commissioner has advised that it is, of course, the case that all Gardaí have a role to play in addressing community policing issues as and when the need arises. In that sense, community policing involves far more than a single unit within An Garda Síochána, a point highlighted by the Garda Inspectorate in their third report entitled "Policing in Ireland—Looking Forward" in which they stated that community policing is a fundamental policing philosophy and that there is a strong foundation for it in Ireland.

The Programme for a Partnership Government recognises that community policing is the embodiment of An Garda Síochána, providing a means of recognising that every community – both urban and rural – has its own concerns and expectations. It commits the Government to ensuring a strong and visible police presence throughout the country in order to maintain and strengthen community engagement, provide reassurance to citizens and deter crime. Key to achieving this goal is the commitment in the Programme tocontinue the ongoing accelerated Garda recruitment programme with a view to increasing Garda numbers to 15,000 as well as doubling the Garda Reserve and increasing the number of civilian staff so as to free-up Gardaí for front-line policing.

The Garda Commissioner's Modernisation and Renewal Programme 2016-2021, published on 9 June 2016, places a strong emphasis on developing and supporting the community policing ethos of the organisation and enhancing the current delivery model so that Gardaí spend more time in the community, gaining public confidence and trust and providing a greater sense of security. I welcome in particular, the proposal to establish local Community Policing Teams (CPTs) headed by an inspector and made up of Gardaí from across a range of areas to work with the community to prevent and detect crime. The CPTs will take proactive measures to prevent crime from happening in the area. This will entail a combination of crime prevention advice, targeting and disrupting criminals through operations and patrols, and where possible diverting people from committing crime. I also welcome the proposal to establish Community Safety Fora in every District comprising local Gardaí, local communities and key stakeholders. The implementation of these initiatives has started and will be rolled out nationwide.

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