Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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506. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the measures being taken to ensure that gardaí in Ballymun are adequately resourced in order to carry out their work in a safe manner; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54537/17]

Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy will appreciate decisions in relation to the provision and allocation of Garda resources are a matter for the Garda Commissioner in light of his identified operational demands and the availability of resources and I, as Minister, have no direct role in the matter.

Fleet Strength

I have been informed by the Garda authorities that as of 8 January 2018, some 114 vehicles are available to the DMR North Division which includes Ballymun Garda District. Of these vehicles 56 are assigned to the Ballymun District.

I understand that the allocation of Garda vehicles is monitored and reviewed by the Garda authorities on a continual basis. The responsibility for the efficient deployment of all official Garda vehicles in each Division is assigned to the Divisional Officer, who may allocate vehicles between stations as required by operational requirements.

Personnel Strength

I have been informed that some 123 Gardaí have been allocated to the Dublin Metropolitan Region North since the recommencement of recruitment. Of these 38 have been assigned to stations within Ballymun Garda District. I understand that the resourcing of each Garda Region and Division is fully considered within the overall context of the needs and requirements of Garda regions throughout the country. Garda personnel assigned throughout the country, together with overall policing arrangements and operational strategies, are continually monitored and reviewed. Such monitoring ensures that optimum use is made of Garda Resources and the best possible Garda service is provided to the general public. The civilian staffing figure for Ballymun is 7.8 Whole-Time Equivalents.

Other resources

In relation to other resources I am informed that where Gardaí from a particular station require additional resources e.g. uniform, equipment including office equipment and furniture, applications are made by the Station through the Divisional office to the Garda Procurement Section which manages these applications.

All Garda operational members, including, members from Ballymun Station have access to an "on line"’ application system via the Garda Intranet Portal for operational uniform, and where they have a requirement for these items, applications are processed via this system.

Where there is a requirement for additional IT infrastructure these applications are processed via the Garda ICT Division, however IT equipment is continually being provided to ensure that operational needs are being met.