David Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

499. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of gardaí by rank attached to the Waterford divisional drugs unit as of 30 June 2020 and 14 June 2021, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33119/21]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

As the Deputy will be aware, Garda Commissioner is by law responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána, including personnel matters and deployment of resources. As Minister, I have no direct role in 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.

I am informed by the Garda authorities that there are now 321 Garda personnel in Divisional Drugs Units as of 31 May 2021, assigned to tackle drug related crime on a local basis throughout the country. This represents an increase of over 4% since 30 June 2020 when there were 308 Gardaí assigned to Divisional Drugs units nationwide. These members are supported, as needed, by the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau which has 93 Gardaí attached to it as of 31 May 2021.  

The table below, which has been provided to me by the Garda authorities, sets out the number of Gardaí assigned to Waterford Divisional Drugs unit at 30 June 2020 and 31 May 2021, the latest date for which figures are available.

A detailed breakdown of Garda numbers is available on my Department’s website. This information is updated every month with the latest statistics provided by An Garda Síochána.  Information on Garda staff, the Garda Workforce and other facts and figures are available from the following link: 

David Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

500. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of unmarked Garda public order unit vans currently in the fleet; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33120/21]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Deputy will be aware that in accordance with the Garda Síochána Act 2005, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána.  The allocation of Garda resources is a matter for the Commissioner and his management team, in light of identified operational demands. This includes responsibility for the allocation of public order vans. As Minister, I have no role in 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.

I am advised by the Garda authorities that there are no unmarked vans fitted out for Public Order duty. The table below sets out the number of marked vans assigned to Public Order Units nationwide at 17 June 2021.

David Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

501. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of Garda youth diversion projects in the Waterford Garda division in 2019, 2020 and to date in 2021, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33121/21]

James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

As the Deputy will be aware, Part 4 of the Children Act 2001 provides the statutory basis for the Garda Diversion Programme. The intention of the programme is to divert children and young people who have engaged in criminal or anti-social behaviour away from the criminal justice system and towards more positive life choices. Children who commit criminal offences are considered for admission to the Garda Diversion Programme. Each case is assessed individually and the Director of the Garda Diversion Programme decides if the case is suitable for inclusion. 

Garda Youth Diversion Projects (GYDPs) are a fundamental support to the operation of the statutory Garda Diversion Programme and provide a vital component to enhance community policing partnerships. There are currently 105 Projects nationwide. These projects are community based multi-agency crime prevention initiatives, which are funded directly by my Department. GYDPs seek to divert young people, who are either involved or are at risk of becoming involved in criminal behaviour, away from future involvement with the criminal justice system. They are primarily targeted at 12 to 17 year old young people in communities where a specific need for the service has been identified. On average, the Garda Youth Diversion Projects engage with between 3,500 and 4,000 young people across the state in any one year. 

Details of the GYDPs in the Waterford Garda Division, for the years requested, are outlined in the table below.