Sorca Clarke (Longford-Westmeath, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

375. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the current level of staffing in An Garda Síochána in counties Longford and Westmeath by rank and station. [8151/20]

Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

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 however that Garda management keeps the distribution of resources under continual review in the context of crime trends and policing priorities, to their optimum use.

The resources provided by Government to An Garda Síochána have reached unprecedented levels, with an allocation for 2020 of €1.88 billion. 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.

There are now approximately 14,700 Gardaí nationwide, supported by over 3,000 Garda staff and these numbers are continuing to grow. Taken together, this increase in the number of both Garda members and staff is delivering a significant increase in operational policing hours nationwide.

A detailed breakdown of Garda numbers is available on my Department's website, for the convenience of the public. This information is updated every month with the latest data provided by An Garda Síochána. Details on the overall number of Garda members assigned to Garda Divisions throughout the State, including the Roscommon/Longford and Westmeath Divisions, are available at the following link: .

Details in relation to the number of Garda staff are also available on my Department's website at the following link: .