Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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375. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of vacancies in the emergency response unit and the unit’s response to the concerns raised by the Garda representative unit by letter sent in January 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4709/20]

Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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I am advised by the Garda authorities that the personnel numbers and other details of the Emergency Response Unit (ERU) are operationally sensitive. As such, it would not be appropriate for me to comment on that matter.

I also understand that the letter referred to is one which was not addressed to me as Minister, and I am unable to comment on it.

However and in general I can say that An Garda Síochána has been allocated an unprecedented budget of €1.88 billion for 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 14,700 Gardaí nationwide, supported by over 3,000 Garda staff. This represents the highest level of Garda personnel in the history of the organisation and these numbers are continuing to grow. The best use of these resources including the deployment of these personnel is, in accordance with the Garda Síochána Act 2005, a matter for the Garda Commissioner who holds statutory responsibility for the management and control of An Garda Síochána.