Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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275. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of gardaí and community police stationed at Blanchardstown Garda station, Dublin 15; the comparable figures for each of the past eight years; the number of gardaí that have retired from the station; the number of retired gardaí that have yet to be replaced at the station; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16627/19]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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276. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of senior gardaí allocated to community policing duties in Blanchardstown Garda station, Dublin 15 at present and for each of the past eight years; the number of gardaí with the rank of sergeant, inspector, chief inspector and superintendent that have been allocated specifically to community policing duties for each of the past eight years in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16628/19]

Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 275 and 276 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.

The Garda strength of the DMR West Division, including Blanchardstown Garda Station, from 2009 to 28 February 2019 as provided by the Garda Commissioner is available on my Department’s website through the following .

Community policing is at the heart of An Garda Síochána as it recognises that every community, either urban or rural, has its own concerns and expectations. The role of a community Garda is not a specialist role in An Garda Síochána; rather it is the case that all Gardaí have a role to play in community policing in carrying out their duties. The official categorisation of Community Garda simply refers to those who are exclusively assigned to building relationships with local communities and civil society including giving talks to schools, community groups and others. It is a matter for the Divisional Chief Superintendent to determine the optimum distribution of duties among the personnel available to him or her having regard to the profile of the area and its specific needs.

The information in relation to the Community Garda Strength by rank  in Blanchardstown Garda Station and the overall strength on  the 28 February 2019, the latest date for which figures are currently available, as supplied by  the Garda Commissioner are as set out in the attached table.  

In relation to retirements, the following table outlines the number of members who retired from Blanchardstown Garda station in each year since 2011, as of the 5^thApril, 2019. Retirements include Voluntary, Compulsory and Cost Neutral Early Retirement. I can assure the Deputy that departures are kept under continuous review and the level of recruitment is adjusted as necessary in order to maintain the desired strength.

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.

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

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COMMUNITY GARDAÍ BLANCHARDSTOWN GARDA STATION

*As of 28 February 2019

OVERALL COMMUNITY GARDAÍ STRENGTH 2011 -2019*

*As of 28 February 2019

Total: means all those Gardaí at a station all of whom have community policing as an inherent part of their role.

Community Gardaí: are those with the official categorisation and are exclusively assigned to building relationships with local communities including giving talks to schools, community groups and others.