Clare Daly (Dublin Fingal, Independent)
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262. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if full-time ethnic liaison officers are employed by An Garda Síochána. [31233/18]

Clare Daly (Dublin Fingal, Independent)
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263. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of gardaí working in the Garda racial, intercultural and diversity office; and the highest rank of member working in the office. [31234/18]

Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 262 and 263 together.

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 the Garda Diversity and Integration unit, formerly called the Garda Racial, Intercultural and Diversity Office, has responsibility for coordinating, monitoring and advising on all aspects of policing Ireland's diverse communities. The Unit has a staff of two sergeants and one clerical officer. 

Garda Ethnic Liaison Officers (ELOs) are appointed to work with minority communities at local level throughout the country. These officers combined with Garda Diversity and Integration unit play a fundamental role in liaising with minority groups and work in partnership to encourage tolerance, respect and understanding within communities in the pursuit of preventing the commission of hate and racist crime.

The list of Ethnic Liaison Officers is available on the Garda website at www.garda.ie.