Written answers

Tuesday, 11 July 2017

Department of Justice and Equality

Garda Deployment

Photo of John LahartJohn Lahart (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
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318. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the Garda numbers in Rathfarnham Garda station and Tallaght Garda station in each of the years 2011 to 2016 and to date in 2017; his plans to liaise with the Garda Commissioner to investigate whether there are sufficient numbers in both stations to deal with issues, including recent assaults in the Rathfarnham, Knocklyon and Ballycullen areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32726/17]

Photo of Charles FlanaganCharles Flanagan (Laois, 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. 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 that local Garda management is aware of the incidents referred to which are under investigation and additional patrols have been put in place to assist in the investigation and prevent of further incidents.

The area referred to by the Deputy forms part of the Dublin Metropolitan Region (DMR) South Division. I have been informed that the number of Gardaí assigned to the Division on the 31 May 2017, the latest date for which figures are readily available, was 545 of which 60 and 182 were assigned to Rathfarnham and Tallaght Garda Stations respectively. In addition, 23 Garda Reserves and 32 civilians were also attached to the Division.

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. 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 almost 1,200 recruits have attested as members of An Garda Síochána and have been assigned to mainstream duties nationwide, 96 of whom were assigned to the DMR South Division. I am also informed that a further four hundred Garda recruits are scheduled to attest later 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 South Division in the coming years.

For the Deputy's information I have set out below the detailed information requested in relation to the number Gardaí assigned to Rathfarnham and Tallaght Garda Stations from 2011 to 31 May 2017, the latest figures available, as supplied by the Commissioner.

RATHFARNHAM AND TALLAGHT GARDA STATIONS STRENGTH 2011-2017*

STATION
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017*
RATHFARNHAM
73
74
78
72
69
64
60
TALLAGHT
194
188
174
170
176
179
182
*As of 31 May 2017

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