Gerald Nash (Louth, Labour)
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1151. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of gardaí stationed at Laytown Garda station in each of the years 2016 to 2020 and to date in 2021; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31550/21]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy will appreciate, the Garda Commissioner is responsible, under the Garda Síochána Act 2005, for the management and administration of Garda business. Under the Act, the Commissioner is also responsible for determining the deployment of members of An Garda Síochána throughout the State and, as Minister, I have no role in these independent functions.

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 optimal use.

The Deputy may wish to know that my Department publishes statistics on Garda members monthly on the Department of Justice website and these figures can be viewed at:

The table below contains the Garda members assigned to the Laytown station by rank for the years 2016 - 2020 and to the end of May 2021, the latest date when figures were available.

* Figures at 31st May 2021

Gerald Nash (Louth, Labour)
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1152. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality when a review of the Garda divisional boundaries pertaining to south County Louth and east County Meath will be completed. [31551/21]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy will appreciate, the Garda Commissioner is responsible, under the Garda Síochána Act 2005, for the management and administration of Garda business. Under the Act, the Commissioner is also responsible for determining the distribution and stationing of members of An Garda Síochána throughout the State and, as Minister, I have no role in these independent functions.

I am assured 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.

As the Deputy may be aware, the 'Drogheda: Building a Bridge to a Better Future' report recently published by Minister McEntee, and carried out by Mr Vivian Geiran, a former director of the Probation Service, recommends that exploration of how to address the issue of the impact of the county boundaries of Louth and Meath, and the corresponding delineation between Garda Districts/Divisions, specifically in relation to the policing of the Laytown-Bettystown area of East Meath, be undertaken.

My Department has been liaising with An Garda Síochána on this matter and with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage regarding the impact on Drogheda of the intersection of the county boundaries of Louth and Meath. An implementation plan for the report is due to be published shortly.

The Deputy may wish to further note that An Garda Síochána continues to roll out the new Garda Operating Model on a phased basis across the country including in the Meath Division. The new operating model will deliver on a key recommendation for Garda reform by the Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland and introduces major changes to the structures of An Garda Síochána by providing more front-line Gardaí, increased Garda visibility, and a wider range of policing services for people in their local area.

Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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1153. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the position regarding the review of the compulsory retirement age for members of An Garda Síochána; when an announcement on same will be forthcoming; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31574/21]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy is aware, 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. Gardaí have the option of continuing to serve until they reach 60, subject to the Garda Commissioner being satisfied that they are fully competent and available to undertake their duties.

I can inform the Deputy that a review of the compulsory retirement age is currently being carried out by my Department. It is anticipated that this review will be completed towards the end of the year. Any changes to the age will require the amendment of primary and secondary legislation.

This review is separate to the provisions of the Garda Síochána (Retirement)(No. 2) Regulations 1951 [S.I.335/1951] which allow the Commissioner, with the consent of the Minister, to extend the age of retirement of a Garda member where this is in the interests of the efficiency of the Garda Síochána due to special qualifications or experience possessed by that member.