Peadar Tóibín (Meath West, Sinn Fein)
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109. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the Garda per capita figure for each county. [44470/17]

Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy will appreciate, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the distribution of resources among the various Garda Divisions and Districts, and I as Minister, I have no direct role in the matter.

I am advised by the Garda Commissioner that recent census data is currently being incorporated into the personnel allocation model. Census information received on a specific county format is amended by the Garda Síochána Analysis Service to reflect Garda Divisional boundaries.

I am assured by the Garda Commissioner that personnel assigned throughout the country, together with the overall policing arrangements and operational strategies are continually monitored and reviewed. Such monitoring ensures that optimum use is made of resources and the best possible policing service is provided to the general public. 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 Division. I am advised by the Garda Commissioner that recent census data is currently being incorporated into the personnel allocation model. Census information received on a specific county format is amended by the Garda Síochána Analysis Service to reflect Garda Divisional boundaries. I am advised by the Garda Commissioner that recent census data is currently being incorporated into the personnel allocation model.

The information requested by the Deputy in relation to the number of Garda per capita is not readily available in my Department as the recording of the population by area is a matter for the Central Statistics Office.

In addition, the information requested by the Deputy concerning the number of Gardaí for each county is not readily available in respect of An Garda Síochána as Gardaí are assigned on a Divisional basis by the Garda Commissioner.

The number of Gardaí assigned to Stations in each Division as of 31 August 2017, the latest date readily available, is as set out in the table, as supplied by the Commissioner.

Garda Strength by Division 31 August 2017