Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Social Democrats)
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581. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of community Gardaí attached to Finglas and Ballymun stations, Dublin 9 and 11 in each of the past ten years by rank in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46617/21]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy will be aware, under the Garda Síochána Act 2005, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána, including the stationing of Gardaí and their allocation to Garda units. As Minister for Justice, I have no direct role in these matters.

I am assured by An Garda Síochána that local and senior Garda management are consulted during the allocation of Garda personnel, and are responsible for the specific deployment and assignment of duties being undertaken at divisional level to ensure the continued delivery of policing services within Garda Divisions.

To date, the official categorisation as a Community Garda refers to those who are exclusively assigned to building relationships with local communities and civil society, including by giving talks to schools, community groups and others. However, community policing is at the heart of An Garda Síochána, and all Gardaí have a role to play in community policing in the course of carrying out their duties. This has perhaps never been clearer than in the response which has been provided to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The below table, provided to me by the Garda authorities, outlines the number of Garda members categorised as Community Gardaí that are assigned to Ballymun and Finglas Garda Stations, broken down by rank, during the period 31 December 2012 to 31 August 2021.

Mark Ward (Dublin Mid West, Sinn Fein)
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582. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if she will address a matter (details supplied) regarding Operation Tombola; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46664/21]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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I am informed by the Garda Commissioner that on the 26 August, 2021, “Operation Tombola” was initiated in the DMR in all Divisions and will remain in place in the lead up to and over the Halloween period.

The Deputy will wish to be aware that proactive policing initiatives within the DMR under ‘Operation Tombola’ include but are not limited to the following actions:

- Increased patrolling (overt and covert) of areas of interest, including but not limited to usual locations where young people congregate as well as areas where bonfire materials are likely to be stockpiled.

- High visibility patrols of public transport on Dublin Bus, LUAS and Dart services in the lead up to and on Halloween to prevent and detect incidents of anti-social behaviour.

- Engagement with schools and youth services throughout the region with talks designed and focused on engaging with those who may participate in sale/supply and use of fireworks.

- Proactive monitoring of open source media to identify the location where individuals are operating the sale and supply of fireworks.

- Identifying the scene(s) of unsupervised and unplanned bonfire locations and liaising with local authorities to have bonfire material removed in advance of Halloween

- Allocation of designated Garda personnel to monitor overt CCTV to ensure anti-social issues are effectively dealt with in a timely manner.

- Proactive engagement by liquor licensing inspectors with managers and business owners, reminding the business community of their responsibilities under Liquor Licensing Legislation.

- Utilisation and deployment of Crime Prevention Officers (CPO) in the DMR to impart, educate and inform business owners / building site managers, etc. on how best secure combustible material (tyres, pallets etc.) in their possession in the lead up to Halloween.

- Policing the public consumption of alcohol and underage minors drinking.