Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy will appreciate, in accordance with the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána. Further, the allocation of Garda resources is made in light of identified operational demands. This includes deployment of personnel among the various Garda divisions. As Minister, I have no direct role in the matter. I am assured, however, that Garda management keeps this distribution of resources under continual review in the context of policing priorities and crime trends, to ensure their optimum use.

To date, the official categorisation as a Community Garda has simply referred to those who are exclusively assigned to building relationships with local communities and civil society including giving talks to schools, community groups and others. However, it is important to note that community policing is at the heart of An Garda Síochána and that all Gardaí have a role to play in community policing in carrying out their duties. Indeed, this has never been more evident than in the work carried out by all members of the Gardaí as we have tackled the COVID-19 pandemic.

I am advised by the Garda authorities that the below table, which has been provided to me by the Garda authorities, sets out the number of Community Gardaí attached to stations in County Louth in each of the past five years:

Detailed information in relation to Community 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:

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy will be aware, 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 table below, as provided to me by the Garda authorities, sets out the number of Gardaí by rank attached to the Louth divisional drugs unit in each of the past five years

I understand that there are now 316 Garda personnel in Divisional Drugs Units, as of 31 March 2021, assigned to tackle drug related crime on a local basis throughout the country. This represents an increase of over 37% since 31 December 2019 when there were 231 Gardaí assigned to Divisional Drugs units nationwide. These members are supported, as needed, by the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau which has 95 Gardaí attached to it as of 31 March 2021.