Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

395. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the strength of An Garda Síochána as recorded on 1 March in each of the past five years to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11499/20]

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

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. As at 31 May 2020, there are now 14,700 Gardaí nationwide, supported by over 3,000 Garda staff and these numbers are continuing to grow. 

A detailed breakdown of the Garda workforce, including both Garda members and staff, is available on my Department’s website.  This information is updated every month with the latest data provided by An Garda Síochána, in the interests of transparency and for the convenience of Deputies and the wider public. 

Information on Garda members and the location to which they are deployed is available at the following link:

Information on the Garda workforce including Garda staff is available at the following link: