Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Social Democrats)
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508. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if his attention has been drawn to the fact there is no Garda inspector in the Ballymun area; if this appointment will be made as a matter of urgency in view of high levels of criminal activity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36778/18]

Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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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.

I am advised that local Garda management are making every effort to tackle criminal activity in the Ballymun area and that a number of measures have been put in place, including additional high-visibility patrols, support from the public order unit and operations by the local drug unit and these will continue into the future.

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 informed by the Commissioner that the strength of Ballymun Garda Station on 31 July 2018, the latest date for which information is readily available, was 121. There are also 7 Garda Reserves and 8 Garda civilian staff attached to Ballymun Garda Station. 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 am further informed by the Commissioner that there are currently 3 Garda Inspector’s assigned to Ballymun Garda Station as of 31 July 2018, the latest date for which figures are available. I am also advised by the Commissioner that there are currently competitions 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 these competitions the needs of all Garda Divisions including the Dublin Metropolitan Region (DMR) North Division will be fully considered when determining the allocation of Sergeants and Inspectors.