Written answers

Wednesday, 9 December 2020

Department of Justice and Equality

Garda Deployment

Photo of Brendan SmithBrendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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188. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if additional resources will be provided in 2021 for An Garda Síochána in the Border region in view of the unique policing demands in Garda divisions in the region; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42519/20]

Photo of Brendan SmithBrendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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189. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if adequate resources will be provided for Garda divisions in the Border region in view of the unique policing demands in Border areas such as counties Cavan and Monaghan; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42520/20]

Photo of Helen McEnteeHelen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 188 and 189 together.

As the Deputy will be aware, under the Garda Síochána Act 2005, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for generally controlling, managing, administering and carrying on the business of An Garda Síochána.

An Garda Síochána has been allocated an unprecedented budget of €1.952 billion for 2021. The significant level of funding provided over recent years is enabling sustained, ongoing recruitment of Garda members and staff.  As a result, there are now some 14,600 Garda members and over 3,000 Garda staff nationwide.  

Budget 2021 will allow for the recruitment of up to620 new Gardaí and an extra 500 Garda staff.The Budget allocation also provides for an increase in supervisory ranks at Sergeant and Inspector level.

More Garda recruits and more Garda staff means extra members of the service on the frontline and in specialist units battling organised crime groups, supporting victims, and keeping people safe. 

Insofar as the Cavan/Monaghan Division, which services a large part of the border region, is concerned, I am pleased to that that there were 384 Garda members of all ranks in the Division as of the end of October 2020. This represents over a 14% increase in Garda numbers since the end of 2017 in the Division, demonstrating An Garda Síochána's commitment to the communities along the Border.  

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