Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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143. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the extent to which the policing methods of An Garda Síochána are synchronised with those in other jurisdictions, with particular reference to rapid deployment, the availability of technology and visibility; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24690/17]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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148. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the extent to which the deployment of An Garda Síochána in this country compares with best practice throughout Europe, if particular improvements are obviously required to enhance the efficiency and efficacy of the force; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24695/17]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 143 and 148 together.

I wish to assure the Deputy that when developing policy or legislation proposals on policing matters my Department would always have regard to international models. However, owing to a number of unique factors pertaining to the Garda Síochána, including the fact that it is a single national police force which provides a security and intelligence service as well as a policing service, international policing models may require tailoring to our circumstances.

Section 117(1) of the Garda Síochána Act 2005 specifically requires the Garda Síochána Inspectorate to benchmark their recommendations by reference to the best standards of comparable police services. Arising from this requirement, every inspection conducted by the Garda Inspectorate, and any recommendation arising, has involved examining policing practices in other jurisdictions.

The Deputy will no doubt be aware that the recommendations of the Inspectorate's 2015 Report, 'Changing Policing in Ireland', form the basis of the Government's Five Year Reform and High-level Workforce Plan for An Garda Síochána which was agreed in July 2016. The Commissioner’s Modernisation and Renewal Programme 2016-2021 is the vehicle for implementation of the some 240 recommendations (including sub-recommendations) of the Inspectorate report aimed at An Garda Síochána. Independent oversight of implementation is being provided by the Policing Authority which is reporting progress to me on a quarterly basis. I recently received the second progress report from the Authority. I am currently considering the report and expect to publish it very shortly. The Deputy may be aware that the first progress report, which I received in January, is already published on my Department's website. I am committed to publishing all future reports.

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. The Commissioner's policing plan for 2017 commits to building on An Garda Síochána's successful record of co-operation with international security services.

The Deputy will be aware of the significant resources that have been made available to the Garda Síochána under the Government's Capital Plan 2016 - 2021. In particular, some €205 million in additional funding has been provided for Garda ICT projects, including a roster management system to improve deployment of resources. A further €46 million has been earmarked to provide the Force with additional high-powered vehicles, marked and unmarked patrol cars, and motorcycles to enhance the mobility, visibility and responsiveness of the Garda in both urban and rural communities in their work in preventing and tackling crime. 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 benefit all areas of Garda activity.

In accordance with section 26 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the direction and control of the Garda Síochána. In exercising this function, I understand that the Garda Commissioner has ensured that relevant policing developments in other jurisdictions, are reviewed on an on-going basis so that international best practice can be identified and, where appropriate, applied throughout the Garda Síochána.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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144. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the extent to which she expects to be in a position to deploy extra gardaí to various stations throughout the country, including in County Kildare, and with particular reference to areas with an obvious need for extra policing; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24691/17]

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, including personnel, among the various Garda Divisions and I, as Minister, have no direct role in the matter. 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.

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 am further informed by the Commissioner that, as of the 31 March 2017, there were 323 Garda together with 22 Garda Reserves and 30 civilians attached to the Kildare Division. When appropriate, the work of local Gardaí is supported by a number of Garda national units such as the National Bureau of Criminal Investigation, the Garda National Economic Crime Bureau and the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau.

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.

This plan is progressing apace. I am informed by the Commissioner, since the reopening of the Garda College in September 2014, that just under 1,000 recruits have attested as members of An Garda Síochána and have been assigned to mainstream duties nationwide, 50 of whom have been assigned to the Kildare 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 - a net increase of 700 in the total Garda strength since recruitment recommenced.

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 every Garda Division, including the Kildare Division in the coming years. To ensure a continuous pipeline of candidates a new recruitment drive was launched by the Commissioner earlier this month with a closing date of 1 June. The competition is being undertaken by the Public Appointment Service on behalf of the Commissioner and applications should be made to www.publicjobs.ie.

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 benefit all areas of Garda activity.