Duncan Smith (Dublin Fingal, Labour)
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339. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of gardaí stationed in Athy, County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7471/20]

Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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The Deputy will be aware that the Garda Commissioner is by law 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 ensure their optimum use.

The resources provided 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 over 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 Garda members and staff is delivering a significant growth in operational policing hours nationwide.

I am informed by the Garda authorities that the number of Gardaí stationed in Athy Garda Station as of 30 April 2020 was 32, including 4 Sergeants and 28 Gardaí.

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

Additional information on Garda staff, the Garda Workforce and other facts and figures are available at the following links: