Written answers

Tuesday, 1 June 2021

Department of Justice and Equality

An Garda Síochána

Photo of Chris AndrewsChris Andrews (Dublin Bay South, Sinn Fein)
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501. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the plans that have been put in place in conjunction with An Garda Síochána to manage the increase in public disorder in communities along the Grand Canal, Dublin; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29120/21]

Photo of James BrowneJames Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy will be aware, responding to and preventing crime, including anti-social behaviour, are operational matters for the Garda Commissioner. Neither I nor Minister Humphreys have any direct role in these matters. 

However, I am very conscious of how anti-social behaviour affects the quality of life for local communities, and I am assured by the Commissioner that the safety and security of all citizens remains a priority for An Garda Síochána.

I am informed by the Garda authorities that there is ongoing liaison with community leaders and schools in the Grand Canal area to discourage anti-social behaviour, along with engagement with residents associations and communities to drive a partnership response to these issues.  

I understand that Gardaí met with local community representatives last December following a request at the Joint Policing Committee (JPC) and discussed the issues affecting these areas. Following the meeting, Gardaí engaged with project management companies who are now erecting signage that consumption of alcohol along the Grand Canal is unacceptable. Local Garda management also met with the Docklands Business Forum in February to discuss the issues affecting the area and I understand that a follow up online meeting will be organised prior to the next JPC meeting.

I am informed that local Garda management utilise all legislation in place to address street crime and anti­-social behaviour, including drug related crime, along the Grand Canal.  This includes a high-visibility uniformed presence in addition to the use of plain clothes Gardaí as appropriate, through overt and covert operations. As of 1 January 2021, a Public Order Unit is deployed every weekend to areas subject to anti-social behaviour and other types of criminal activity.

I am further advised that during the summer months there will be increased uniformed foot and mountain bike patrols along the Grand Canal under Operation GCD, an operation established to counteract incidents of anti-social behaviour and disruption caused by young people swimming in the Canal during the summer holiday period. I understand that this operation has been positively received by the local community and it is envisioned that this operation will be run again in the coming summer months.

The Deputy may also be interested to note that the Department's Justice Plan 2021 contains a number of commitments with regard to tackling anti-social behaviour.  

In line with a commitment in the Programme for Government, I have established a special expert forum on antisocial behaviour. A subgroup of this forum has already helped inform a new scheme to tackle the misuse of scramblers and quadbikes and similar sub groups can also be established for other issues where appropriate.

On 15 April last, Minister McEntee and I launched the new Youth Justice Strategy 2021-2027. This new strategy will pursue a collaborative response to the situation of vulnerable children and young people, with a strong focus on diverting them away from offending, and building supports to provide prevention and early intervention.

Anti-social behaviour will also be considered by the Local Community Safety Partnerships which are to be set up in every Local Authority under my Department’s new community safety policy. Three pilot partnerships are currently being established in Dublin’s north inner city, Longford and Waterford and will run for the next two years ahead of the nationwide rollout.

Photo of David StantonDavid Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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502. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of gardaí by rank and district in each of the Cork county and city divisions that have retired in 2021; the number that are expected to retire; the number that have given notice of their intention to resign later in 2021, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29158/21]

Photo of Heather HumphreysHeather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy will appreciate, under the Garda Síochána Act 2005 as amended, the Garda Commissioner has responsibility for management of An Garda Síochána and for the allocation and efficient use of Garda resources. This includes responsibility for personnel matters and the distribution of personnel across the various Garda Divisions.  As Minister, I have no direct role in these matters. 

I am advised by the Commissioner that projected departures are kept under continuous review and that the level of recruitment is adjusted as necessary in order to maintain the desired strength.

As the Deputy may be aware, the retirement of members of An Garda Síochána is governed by law, which sets the mandatory retirement age for all members at 60 years of age.  Members of An Garda Síochána who joined prior to 1 April 2004 may retire on full pension at 50 years of age once they have served at least 30 years and those who joined on or after 1 April 2004 may retire on full pension at 55 years of age with 30 years service.

The table below, which has been provided to me by the Garda authorities, sets out the total number of Garda members by rank in the Cork Division who have retired or submitted their application to retire or are compulsory retirements in 2021, as of the 26 May 2021. 

Com D/Com AC C/Supt Supt Insp. Sgt Garda Total 
Cork City 0 0 0 1 0 0 2 10 13
Cork North 0 0 0 0 0 1 3 7 11
Cork West 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 3 4
Total 0 0 0 1 0 2 5 20 28

These figures include voluntary retirements, compulsory retirements, cost neutral early retirements, resignations, medical discharges, dismissals and deaths in service. These figures are  operational and subject to change.

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