Christopher O'Sullivan (Cork South West, Fianna Fail)
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169. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of gardaí in the Clonakilty, Bandon and Bantry districts at the end of April 2021; the way this compares to the end of April 2020; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29977/21]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The resources provided by government to An Garda Síochána have reached unprecedented levels, with an allocation of €1.88 billion in 2020 and of €1.952 billion in 2021. This has enabled sustained, ongoing recruitment.

As the Deputy will appreciate, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the general management and administration of the Garda organisation under the Garda Síochána Act 2005. This includes the deployment of members of An Garda Síochána throughout the State. As Minister, I have no role in these independent functions.

I am informed that, as at 30 April 2021, there were 104 Gardaí assigned to Bandon District, 54 assigned to Bantry District and 72 assigned to Clonakilty District. These Garda members are supported by 45 Garda staff.

As the Deputy will appreciate, Garda numbers can be affected by a number of factors, including retirements, medical discharges and resignations. The impact of policing measures and other steps to support the public health restrictions has also, exceptionally, had an impact over the past year. As such, there has been a decrease in the numbers of Gardaí assigned to Bandon District from 113 in April 2020 to 104 in April 2021 and to Bantry Distict from 56 in April 2020 to 54 in April 2021. There has been an increase in the number of Gardaí assigned to the Clonakilty District over the same time period from 67 to 72.

The Deputy may wish to note, however, that recruitment, which had been paused, has now recommenced in 2021 with 150 Garda trainees entering the Garda College on 24 May, the first of four intakes and a revised planned total of 450 for the year. This forms an important component in the unprecedented and sustained level of investment being made in Garda resources in recent years, and is equipping the organisation to meet community needs throughout the country.