Thomas Byrne (Meath East, Fianna Fail)
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30. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if he is satisfied that County Meath has adequate levels of resources for frontline policing by An Garda Síochána. [49587/18]

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.

The resourcing of each Garda division and Garda personnel assigned throughout the country, together with overall policing arrangements and operational strategies, are continually monitored and reviewed in the context of crime trends and policing priorities. Such monitoring ensures that optimum use is made of Garda Resources and the best possible Garda service is provided to the general public.

The Deputy will be aware An Garda Síochána is currently undertaking a programme of accelerated recruitment, as part of the Government’s commitment to a strengthened service through the Five Year High Level Reform and Workforce Plan to achieve an overall workforce of 21,000 personnel by 2021, including 15,000 Garda members. To support the Commissioner in this recruitment, I have also secured funding in Budget 2019 which facilitates the recruitment of up to 800 more Gardaí next year. The Budget also provides for the necessary civilian Garda staff to fill critical skills gaps and enable the further redeployment of Gardaí to front line duties.

The Garda strength by Station and Rank for the Meath Division, in each of the years 2009 to 31 October 2018 is available on my Department’s website through the link:

For more general information on Garda Facts and Figures please see the link:

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