James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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185. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of sergeants, inspectors and superintendents, respectively in County Wexford on 21 April 2011 and on 21 April 2018; the district to which each person was posted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18681/18]

James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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186. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the date upon which each superintendent was appointed to the Enniscorthy Garda district in each year since 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18682/18]

Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 185 and 186 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.

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. Where a deficiency in resources is identified the matter is considered fully and addressed accordingly.

Appointments to the ranks of Sergeant and Inspector are a matter for the Commissioner under section 14 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005.

I am advised by the Commissioner that the overall strength of the Sergeant, Inspectors and Superintendents rank was 1,861, 254 and 166 respectively as of 31 March 2018, the latest date for which figures are available. I am further advised by the Commissioner that there is currently a competition in train for promotion to the rank of Sergeant and Inspector with the aim of bringing the strength to 2,000 and 300 respectively, as agreed under the Employment Control Framework. I am assured by the Commissioner that following completion of this competition the needs of all Garda Divisions including the Wexford Division will be fully considered when determining the allocation of Sergeants and Inspectors. I am pleased to say that the employment control framework for the Superintendent rank has been increased from 166 to 168 as of last month to facilitate two specialist posts in Roads Policing and Major Events Management.

It is, of course, a matter for the Policing Authority under the Garda Síochána Act 2005, as amended to appoint persons to the rank of Superintendent having undertaken a competition for that purpose.

For the Deputy's information, I have set out below in tabular form the number of Sergeants, Inspectors and Superintendents in the Wexford Division by Station, as of 30 April 2011 and on 31 March 2018, the latest date for which figures are currently available and the period of assignment of Superintendents allocated to Enniscorthy District since 10 February 2005.