Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy will appreciate, the Garda Commissioner is statutorily responsible for the management of An Garda Síochána, including personnel matters and deployment of resources. As Minister, I have no responsibility for these matters. I am assured that Garda management keeps the 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 resources.

A record €1.76 billion was allocated to the Garda Vote for 2019 and this is increasing further to an unprecedented €1.882 billion for 2020. Significant capital investment is also being made, amounting to a total of €92 million this year and rising further to over €116 million in 2020.

This level of funding is enabling sustained, ongoing recruitment of Garda members and staff and as a result, An Garda Síochána is a growing organisation. We now have over 14,300 Gardaí nationwide, supported by over 2,900 Garda staff.

I am informed by the Garda authorities that the number of Gardaí stationed in Portarlington Garda Station as of 31 October was 16.

The Deputy may wish to know that details in relation to Garda numbers are available on my Department’s website. This information is updated every month with the latest data provided by An Garda Síochána. This information is available at the following link:

Information on Garda staff, the Garda Workforce and other facts and figures are available from the following link:

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