Jonathan O'Brien (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

124. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if she can confirm that all Traveller and Roma children's names who were erroneously added to the PULSE system in the past have been removed from the system; if she has discussed this matter with the Garda Commissioner; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22445/16]

Jonathan O'Brien (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

125. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of children under five years of age who have had a PULSE file entry and ascribed a criminal intelligence number separate from a parent or guardian during each of the past four years. [22446/16]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 124 and 125 together.

I have been informed by the Garda Commissioner that a full review of entries on the PULSE system, including records of any person under 12 years of age remains ongoing. Remedial action is taken in respect of any entry on PULSE which is identified as not conforming to the standards and principles of the Data Protection legislation.

I am further advised, and it is important to understand this, that the allocation of a PULSE identification number should not be taken to automatically infer any link to criminality. Therefore, the recording of a person's details on PULSE must be considered in the context of each entry which seeks to describe the circumstances of the interaction with An Garda Síochána. For example, this could include an entry on the system as a result of the person being an injured party or as a witness to an incident as well as where a person is a suspect or a suspected offender. Essentially, a PULSE identification number is intended to be a unique identifier for any future interactions, of any nature, that the person may have with An Garda Síochána.

With regard to the information requested by the Deputy relating to children under five years of age who have a PULSE file entry and have been ascribed a criminal intelligence number separate from a parent or guardian during each of the past four years, I am informed that this specific information is not available.

Dessie Ellis (Dublin North West, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

126. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of gardaí based in Finglas Garda station; the number of Garda vehicles available to them during each of the past six years; and the most up-to-date figures for same. [22508/16]

Dessie Ellis (Dublin North West, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

127. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of gardaí based in Santry Garda station; the number of Garda vehicles available to them during each of the past six years; and the most up-to-date figures for same. [22509/16]

Dessie Ellis (Dublin North West, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

128. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of gardaí based in Ballymun Garda station; the number of Garda vehicles available to them during each of the past six years; and the most up-to-date figures for same. [22510/16]

Dessie Ellis (Dublin North West, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

129. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of gardaí assigned to K District of DMR west division of An Garda Síochána, Dublin; the number of Garda vehicles available to them during each of the past six years; and the most up-to-date figures for same. [22511/16]

Dessie Ellis (Dublin North West, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

130. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of gardaí assigned to H District of DMR north division of An Garda Síochána, Dublin; the number of Garda vehicles available to them during each of the past six years; and the most up-to-date figures for same. [22512/16]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 126 to 130, inclusive, together.

As the Deputy will be aware, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the distribution of resources, including personnel, among the various Garda Divisions and Districts. 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. The specific information on the number of Gardaí in the Ballymun ("H") District, which includes Santry and Ballymun Garda stations, and the Blanchardstown ("K") District, which includes Finglas Garda station, on the 31 May 2016, the latest date for which figures are readily available, is as set out in the table below.

As the Deputy will be aware, when the financial crisis hit, the Government of the time introduced a moratorium on recruitment and the four year National Recovery Plan, published in 2010, envisaged a steady reduction in Garda numbers. Thankfully, in a recovering economy, we were able to reopen the Garda College in September 2014, and a total of 851 Garda trainees have been recruited with a further 300 planned to be recruited during the remainder of this year. So far 534 of the new Garda trainees have attested as members of An Garda Síochána and have been assigned to mainstream uniform duties nationwide with another 150 more planned to attest in November.

The Programme for Government, "A Programme for a Partnership Government" commits tocontinuing the ongoing accelerated Garda recruitment programme with a view to increasing Garda numbers to 15,000. Taking account of projected retirements, the current rate of recruitment will bring Garda numbers to around the 13,000 mark this year. We must, I believe, endeavour to make more rapid progress than this to reach our target of 15,000 and I am engaging with my colleague, the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, in relation to increasing the planned annual intake this year and in coming years.

In relation to the number of Garda vehicles available in the Ballymun ("H") and Blanchardstown ("K") Districts during each of the past six years and the most up to date figures for same, I have requested these details from the Garda Commissioner and will forward them to the Deputy on receipt.

GARDA DISTRIBUTION IN "H" & "K" DISTRICTS 31 MAY 2016

Dessie Ellis (Dublin North West, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

131. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of community gardaí based in Finglas Garda station, Dublin, during each of the past six years; and the most up-to-date figures for same. [22513/16]

Dessie Ellis (Dublin North West, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

132. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of community gardaí based in Santry Garda station, Dublin during each of the past six years; and the most up-to-date figures for same. [22514/16]

Dessie Ellis (Dublin North West, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

133. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of community gardaí based in Ballymun Garda station, Dublin during each of the past six years; and the most up-to-date figures for same. [22515/16]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 131 to 133, inclusive, together.

As the Deputy will be aware, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the distribution of resources, including personnel, among the various Garda Divisions and Districts. 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. The specific information on the number of Community Gardaí in Finglas, Santry and Ballymun on the 31 December 2010 - 2015, and on the 31 May 2016, the latest date for which figures are readily available, is as set out in the table below.

Of course, it is 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 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. 

As the Deputy will be aware, when the financial crisis hit, the Government of the time introduced a moratorium on recruitment and the four year National Recovery Plan, published in 2010, envisaged a steady reduction in Garda numbers. Thankfully, in a recovering economy, we were able to reopen the Garda College in September 2014, and a total of 851 Garda trainees have been recruited with a further 300 planned to be recruited during the remainder of this year. So far 534 of the new Garda trainees have attested as members of An Garda Síochána and have been assigned to mainstream uniform duties nationwide with another 150 more planned to attest in November.

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. Community policing, and all other Garda activities, will undoubtedly benefit from the resources now coming on stream through the accelerated Garda recruitment programme.

Community Police

*31 May 2016