Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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132. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of gardaí that were transferred by division to new divisions in 2014, 2015 and to date in 2016; the extent to which this occurred as a result of the current Garda Commissioner’s policing plan; the extent to which it occurred as a result of changing demographics or crime trends; the difficulties in transferring gardaí between divisions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31713/16]

Frances 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 among the various Garda Divisions and Districts, and I as Minister, I have no direct role in the matter. I am assured by the Garda Commissioner that personnel assigned throughout the country, together with the overall policing arrangements and operational strategies are continually monitored and reviewed. Such monitoring ensures that optimum use is made of resources and the best possible policing service is provided to the general public. In regard to the deployment of Garda personnel, a distribution model is used which takes into account all relevant factors including population, crime trends and the policing needs of each individual Division. It is the responsibility of the Divisional Officer to allocate personnel within his/her Division as appropriate.

I have asked the Garda Commissioner for the specific information requested by the Deputy in relation to the transfer of members of An Garda Síochána and when it is to hand I will inform the Deputy accordingly.