Lisa Chambers (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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43. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if her attention has been drawn to the fact that there is concern that Garda transfers between stations are not happening in a fair and transparent way and that this can affect the well-being of individual members and their family life; the process for a garda wishing to transfer from one station to another; and the basis on which an application is assessed. [7632/17]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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Under the Garda Síochána Act 2005 it is the Garda Commissioner who is responsible for the distribution of all resources, including personnel, and I, as Minister, have no direct role in the matter.

I am informed by the Garda Commissioner that it is Garda policy that all transfer applications are kept under review. I understand that transfers of Garda personnel are determined by a number of factors including population, crime trends and as the policing needs of each individual Division dictate. This ensures that the optimum use is made of Garda resources and that the best possible Garda service is provided to the general public.

A member of An Garda Síochána who is the subject of a transfer decision by Garda management may after availing of internal review avenues appeal that decision to the Garda Síochána Transfer Review Body which was established as an informal, ad hoc body to review on appeal such decisions. It is chaired by a senior official of my Department acting in an independent capacity. Its membership includes a senior member of An Garda Síochána and representatives of the Garda Associations.