Jonathan O'Brien (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein)
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195. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of gardaí attached to various sections and divisions within An Garda Síochána (details supplied). [20464/17]

Frances 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.

I am informed by the Commissioner that 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 Garda Division. It is the responsibility of the Divisional Officer to allocate personnel within his/her Division.

I have requested the specific information sought by the Deputy from the Commissioner and I will write to him on receipt of same.

Jonathan O'Brien (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein)
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196. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of gardaí on secondment and exchange programmes with foreign police services; and the jurisdictions in which they are currently operating. [20465/17]

Jonathan O'Brien (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein)
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197. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the number officers from foreign police forces currently on secondment or exchange here with An Garda Síochána and their jurisdictions of origin. [20466/17]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 196 and 197 together.

As the Deputy will appreciate, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the distribution of resources, including personnel, and I, as Minister, have no direct role in the matter.

An Garda Síochána maintains close liaison with other law enforcement agencies internationally and the work of Garda liaison officers who are permanently based in other jurisdictions and in international bodies such as Interpol and Europol, greatly facilitate the prompt exchange of information and intelligence on criminal activity. Such international liaison has led to many parallel investigations with international law enforcement agencies.

I am informed by the Garda Commissioner that there are no members of other police forces currently on secondment to or on exchange with An Garda Síochána.

I am further informed by the Commissioner that the number of Gardaí on international duty and the numbers of Garda liaison officers based in other jurisdictions, Europol and Interpol as of 31 March 2017, the latest date for which figures are readily available, are as set out in the following tables.