Imelda Munster (Louth, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

480. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of departmental staff employed in Drogheda per departmental premises and within statutory bodies within his remit; and the grade of each. [54353/17]

Imelda Munster (Louth, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

538. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if his Department is due to increase the number of staff based in Drogheda in addition to those currently employed; the grades that will be assigned to these positions; and the dates on which they will be recruited or allocated. [54957/17]

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

I propose to take Questions Nos. 480 and 538 together.

In response to the question raised by the Deputy on the number of staff  of the Department of Justice and Equality and those within its statutory bodies employed in Drogheda I would refer the Deputy to the reply provided on 14^thDecember 2017 in respect of Dail Question no. 196. This position has not changed.

In respect of increases to staff numbers based in Drogheda, 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 since the reopening of the Garda College in September 2014, just under 1,600 recruits have attested as members of An Garda Síochána and have been assigned to mainstream duties nationwide, 25 of which have been assigned to Drogheda Garda Station.  A further 800 Garda recruits are expected to attest from the Garda College 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 2017.

In so far as the allocation of newly attested Gardaí is concerned, this is a matter for the Garda Commissioner.  I am assured by the Commissioner that the needs of all Garda Divisions are fully considered when determining the allocation of resources. However, it is important to keep in mind that newly attested Gardaí have a further 16 months of practical and class-room based training to complete in order to receive their BA in Applied Policing.  To ensure that they are properly supported and supervised and have opportunities to gain the breadth of policing experience required, the Commissioner's policy is to allocate them to specially designated training stations which have the required training and development structures and resources in place, including trained Garda tutors and access to a permanently appointed supervisory Sergeant who is thoroughly familiar with their responsibilities under the training programme.

In relation to Civilian personnel in An Garda Síochána, I am advised that it is the Commissioner’s intention to allocate one additional Garda civilian staff (EO) to Drogheda with an expected commencement date of February 5^thof this year.

In respect of other offices of the Department based in Drogheda there are no plans to increase existing staffing numbers.