Written answers

Tuesday, 27 June 2017

Department of Justice and Equality

Garda Data

Photo of Denise MitchellDenise Mitchell (Dublin Bay North, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

292. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the Garda numbers for Coolock Garda station in each of the years 2011 to 2016 and to date in 2017, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30022/17]

Photo of Denise MitchellDenise Mitchell (Dublin Bay North, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

293. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the Garda numbers for Raheny Garda station in each of the years 2011 to 2016 and to date in 2017, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30023/17]

Photo of Denise MitchellDenise Mitchell (Dublin Bay North, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

294. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the Garda numbers for Clontarf Garda station in each of the years 2011 to 2016 and to date in 2017, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30024/17]

Photo of Denise MitchellDenise Mitchell (Dublin Bay North, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

295. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the Garda numbers for Howth Garda station in each of the years 2011 to 2016 and to date in 2017, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30025/17]

Photo of Charles FlanaganCharles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 292 to 295, inclusive, together.

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.

Coolock, Raheny, Clontarf and Howth Garda stations form part of the DMR North Division. I am informed by the Commissioner that the Garda strength of the DMR North Division on 30 April 2017, the latest date for which figures are readily available, was 661. There are also49 Garda Reserves and 42 civilians attached to the 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 to 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.

This plan is progressing apace. This year, 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 informed by the Commissioner, since the reopening of the Garda College in September 2014, that almost 1,000 recruits have attested as members of An Garda Síochána and have been assigned to mainstream duties nationwide, 75 of whom have been assigned to the DMR North 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 every Garda Division, including the DMR North Division in the coming years.

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.

Garda Strength 2011-2017

Station 2011201220132014201520162017*
Coolock117114112109103105100
Raheny68646262676671
Clontarf77726968656766
Howth39423831272725
*Up to 30 April 2017

Comments

No comments

Log in or join to post a public comment.