Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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250. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of Garda inspectors in counties Cavan and Monaghan; the vacancies in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53613/18]

Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy will appreciate, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the distribution of personnel and I, as Minister, have no direct role in the matter. Garda management keeps this distribution under review in the context of crime trends and policing priorities to ensure optimum use is made of these resources.

I have been advised by the Commissioner that as of 18 December 2018 there are seven Garda Inspectors in the Cavan/Monaghan Division. I understand that an additional Inspector has recently been assigned to the Division and will take up their appointment early in the New Year.

I am pleased that the recent Budget provided resources to increase the number of Sergeants by 110 and the number of Inspectors by 81. As Garda numbers continue to increase towards the target of 15,000 by 2021, it is imperative that the appropriate and commensurate numbers of supervisors are put in place.

I am informed by the Commissioner that competitions for promotion to these ranks have recently concluded and panels formed, which will be drawn upon as needed, by the Commissioner.

I am further informed that 64 Inspectors and 170 Sergeants have been appointed by the Commissioner from these panels so far and it is expected further appointments will be made early in the new year. The policing needs of all Garda Divisions including the Cavan/Monaghan Division will be considered by the Commissioner when making these appointments.