Noel Grealish (Galway West, Independent)
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155. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of official current and former Garda residences in the Galway Garda division by the number occupied and the vacant, respectively; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42805/19]

Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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In accordance with the Garda Síochána Act 2005, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for managing and controlling the administration and business of An Garda Síochána. The Commissioner also has responsibility for the management and efficient use of resources, having regard to operational need. As Minister I have no role in this matter.

The Office of Public Works (OPW) has responsibility for the provision and maintenance of Garda accommodation. As a result, all works to the Garda estate involve close cooperation between the OPW and the Garda authorities.  Major capital investment has been made in the Garda estate in recent years, to provide fit-for-purpose facilities for Garda members and staff, as well as the public interacting with them.  

I am informed by the Garda authorities that the following table outlines the current list of official Garda residences (as opposed to stations) in the Galway Garda Division, including confirmation of whether these residences are occupied or vacant.

I would point out that the Garda Commissioner has informed me that Garda numbers in the Galway Division have increased from a total of 560 at the end of 2015 to 625 as of 31 August 2019.

Since the reopening of the Garda College in September 2014, almost 2,800 Garda recruits have attested and been assigned to mainstream duties nationwide. Another 200 Garda recruits are due to attest before the end of this year.  We now have over 14,200 Garda members supported by over 2,700 Garda staff nationwide and we are making real tangible progress on the Government's plan to reach an overall Garda workforce of 21,000 personnel by 2021 including 15,000 Garda members and 4,000 civilians.

The unprecedented funding of €1.882 billion provided to An Garda Síochána in Budget 2020 will allow for the recruitment of up to 700 new Gardaí and additional Garda staff next year. This ongoing recruitment will provide the Commissioner with the resources needed to deploy increasing numbers of Gardaí to deliver a visible, effective and responsive policing service in communities nationwide.