Pat Gallagher (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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272. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the Garda numbers in the Donegal division to date; his plans for improving Garda numbers in the county in the years ahead; his plans for maintaining and improving Garda stations in the county; if he will consider designating Glenties station to its former district status; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22491/18]

Charles 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 Garda Commissioner that, as of the 30 April 2018, the latest date for which figures are available, the strength of the Donegal Division was 394. When appropriate, the work of local Gardaí is supported by a number of Garda national units such as the National Bureau of Criminal Investigation, the Armed Support Units, the Garda National Economic Crime Bureau and the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau.

I can assure the House that the 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 for an overall Garda workforce of 21,000 personnel by 2021, including 15,000 Garda members.

Since the reopening of the Garda College in September 2014, just under 1,800 recruits have attested as members of An Garda Síochána and have been assigned to mainstream duties nationwide, 32 of whom have been assigned to the Donegal Division.

I am pleased that funding is in place to maintain this high level of investment in the Garda workforce to ensure that the vision of an overall workforce of 21,000 by 2021 remains on track. This year a further 800 new Garda Recruits will enter the Garda College; some 400 of whom have already done so. In total, 800 Garda trainees are scheduled to attest during the year, some 200 of whom attested in March. Further, Garda numbers, taking account of projected retirements, are on track to reach 14,000 by the end of this year.

This focus on investment in personnel is critical. We are now rebuilding the organisation and providing the Commissioner with the resources needed to deploy increasing numbers of Gardaí. Undoubtedly, the ongoing recruitment process will support all Garda activities and enhance visibility within our communities and will enable the Commissioner to provide additional resources across every Garda Division, including the Donegal Division, as new Garda recruits continue to come on stream.

The Deputy will appreciate that the programme of replacement and refurbishment of Garda accommodation is progressed by the Garda authorities working in close cooperation with the Office of Public Works (OPW), which has the responsibility for the provision and maintenance of Garda accommodation. This includes identifying and progressing any necessary remedial or refurbishment works required at individual stations. As Minister, I have no direct role in these matters.

I can however confirm that the Garda Building and Refurbishment Programme 2016-2021 includes the full upgrade and refurbishment of Donegal town Garda Station. I have been informed by the Garda authorities that the OPW has advised that tender documents are currently being prepared. It is expected that the project will be tendered for in early Q3 2018.

In relation to Glenties Garda Station and in particular its former status as District headquarters, it should be noted that such designation or status is a matter for the office of Deputy Commissioner Policing & Security, in conjunction with District and Divisional Officers, having regard to the policing requirements of Glenties and the surrounding communities. As Minister I have no role in the matter.

More generally, the Deputy will also be aware that the Garda Síochána Inspectorate, at the request of the Policing Authority, is carrying out a review of the dispersal and use of resources available to An Garda Síochána in the delivery of policing services to local communities. The Authority has informed the Inspectorate that the review should take account of:

- the changing environments in rural, developing urban and suburban areas;

- the views of local communities;

- the allocation to and deployment of Garda resources at the local policing level, including the use of the Garda Reserve, Garda facilities and Garda equipment; and

- relevant recommendations made in previous Inspectorate reports.

It is expected that the review will be completed within the first half of 2018.