Helen McEntee (Meath East, 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 almost 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 the requested Garda Stations as of 31 July 2020 is as follows:

The Deputy may wish to know that detailed information in relation to Garda numbers, including the year end figures for the stations mentioned in each of the years from 2010 to 2019, 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 link:

I am informed by the Garda authorities that the weekly opening hours of each Garda station, as requested by the Deputy are as follows:

Finally, I would point out that as with all Garda stations which are not open to the public on a full time basis, I am informed by the Garda authorities that telephone calls to a station during periods of closure are automatically routed to the nearest 24-hour station in the District. In cases of emergency, any person can also call the 999 or 112 emergency service for an urgent Garda response.