Written answers

Tuesday, 23 May 2017

Department of Justice and Equality

Garda Strength

Photo of Peter BurkePeter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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52. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if she will request an update from An Garda Síochána regarding the current number of personnel serving Edgeworthstown Garda station, in view of the deficit in staff due to long-term sick leave which is not being represented in official figures for the station and which is causing a dangerous situation due to lack of policing and an increase in crime in the area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23966/17]

Photo of Frances FitzgeraldFrances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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This Government is committed 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. To make this a reality for all, the Government has in place a plan to achieve an overall Garda workforce of 21,000 personnel by 2021 comprising 15,000 Garda members, 2,000 Reserve members and 4,000 civilians. In 2017, funding has been provided for the recruitment of 800 Garda recruits and up to 500 civilians to support the wide ranging reform plan in train in An Garda Síochána. Funding has also been provided for the recruitment of 300 Garda Reserves

I am very much aware of the damage done to rural communities by crime. The Deputy will be aware that Operation Thor has been put in place to tackle burglary and related crimes, in both rural and urban areas. It is encouraging to note that since the launch of the Operation, the burglary figures in particular have shown a significant downward trend. Indeed, the CSO official recorded crime statistics for Q4 of 2016, show a30% decrease in burglary for the twelve months of 2016 when compared to the same period in 2015 - which parallels the implementation of Operation Thor and is reflected in the crime statistics for Edgeworthstown Station which show a 56% decrease in burglaries and related offences in 2016 when compare to 2014.

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 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 this ensures local Garda management has the flexibility to deploy Garda resources to meet operational needs and address critical issues as they arise taking account of, amongst other factors, the personnel situation of each District in the Division.

The area mentioned by the Deputy forms part of the Roscommon/Longford Division. I have been informed that the number of Gardaí assigned to the Division on the 31 March 2017, the latest date for which figures are readily available, was 302 with 10 Garda Reserves and 27 Civilians attached to the Division. Of these, 46 members were assigned to Granard District and 11 in Edgeworthstown Station.

I am advised by the Commissioner, that since the reopening of the Garda College in September 2014, just under 1,000 recruits have attested as members of An Garda Síochána and have been assigned to mainstream duties nationwide, 5 of whom were assigned to the Roscommon/Longford Division. I am also informed that another 600 trainee Garda are scheduled to attest this year which will see Garda numbers, taking account of projected retirements, increase to around the 13,500 mark by year end - an increase of 500 since the end of 2016.

This focus on investment in personnel is critical. The moratorium on recruitment introduced in 2010 resulted in a significant reduction in the strength of An Garda Síochána. We are now rebuilding the organisation and providing the Commissioner with the resources she needs to allow her to deploy increasing numbers of Gardaí across the organisation, including the Roscommon/Longford Division.

This investment in personnel is complemented by substantial investment in resources across the board for An Garda Síochána. The Deputy will be aware of the significant resources that have been made available to An Garda Síochána under the Government's Capital Plan 2016 - 2021. In particular, some €205 million in additional funding for Garda ICT and €46 million for new Garda vehicles has been allocated over the lifetime of the plan. This investment will facilitate the provision of more effective policing services and I have no doubt that these new resources now coming on stream will see an increase in Garda visibility in our communities.

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