Alan Farrell (Dublin Fingal, Fine Gael)
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110. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the details of the consideration given to the introduction to a specialised Garda public transport unit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51088/21]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Any acts of violence and anti-social behaviour on or near public transport are completely unacceptable. There are a number of tools at the disposal of the Garda Commissioner, who is operationally responsible, to respond to such incidents. The Commissioner is also responsible, as the Deputy will be aware, for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána, and as Minister I have no role in these independent functions.  

I am informed by the Garda authorities that Garda management engages extensively with transport operators, including the National Transport Authority, Irish Rail (DART and InterCity rail) and Transdev Ireland (Luas) to provide a high visibility presence through a co-ordinated approach.

I am informed that a range of regional and local operations have been put in place to prevent and detect incidents arising. For example, Operation Twin Track was a Community Engagement and Rail Safety Policing Initiative conducted by Gardaí in partnership with other public transportation stakeholders with the purpose of providing high visibility policing of rail and light rail transport within the Dublin Metropolitan Region (DMR) and nationwide, and to deliver crime prevention advice.

A multi-agency review was conducted to examine the effectiveness of this operation and it was agreed that An Garda Síochána will continue to proactively engage with public transportation stakeholders and providers to conduct further similar operations.

I have been advised by the Garda authorities that each Chief Superintendent in Dublin has put in place a dedicated policing plan to tackle anti-social behaviour on public transport.Gardaí are conducting both overt and covert patrols of various public transport networks to address incidents of non-compliance under the Health Act 1947 (as amended), incidences of anti-social behaviour or any other criminal offences.

There is currently an operation in place as part of the J District Policing Plan aimed at the prevention of anti-social behaviour and graffiti damage on the DART. The operation aims to ensure the security and safety of Irish Rail staff and passengers, prevent of criminal damage to trains by graffiti, and identify and prosecute offenders engaged in defacing trains with graffiti.

There are a number of similar operations taking place in the lead up to and on Halloween, across the DMR, which will involve high visibility patrols of public transport on Dublin Bus, LUAS and Dart

services to prevent and detect incidents of anti-social behaviour.

I am advised that An Garda Síochána do not propose to establish a dedicated transport policing unit at this time.

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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111. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if new initiatives to promote more recruitment and progression of women within An Garda Síochána are being undertaken. [51159/21]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy will be aware, the Garda Commissioner is responsible by law for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána, which includes recruitment and personnel matters. As Minister, I play no direct role in these independent functions.

However, I am informed by Garda Authorities that as of 30 September 2021, 3,974 sworn members of An Garda Síochána are female. This means that 27.7% of sworn Garda members are female and 72.3% male. This compares with 24.4% female and 75.6% male in 2010.

A concerted effort is being made to encourage women and minority communities to consider a career in An Garda Síochána so that its membership reflects the community that it serves, in line with the recommendations of the Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland. Recent recruitment campaigns have made a significant effort through online videos and other media to attract female candidates as well as candidates from minority communities and diverse social groups.

I am advised by An Garda Síochána that Information Days have been held in advance of closing dates of internal competitions where women are underrepresented. I understand that having women available to answer questions who are already carrying out the particular role advertised is a key feature of the Information Days. 

The Programme for Government, Our Shared Future, contains a commitment to increase the diversity within An Garda Síochána prioritising the identification and removal of barriers to recruiting and retaining people from diverse and minority background. This work is being taken forward as part of An Garda Síochána's Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Strategy (2020-2021). Work is ongoing to develop a successor Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Strategy, a key element of which will focus on addressing under representation of women at all levels of the organisation.

My Department's Justice Plan 2021 commits to supporting the EDI Strategy to ensure the organisation can attract, retain and develop a diverse and inclusive workforce, including preparation of a diversity recruitment roadmap.

While the current number of women members in An Garda Síochána is broadly in line with the percentage of women in police services across England and Wales, there is clearly scope for further improvement. I expect that the above steps being taken by An Garda Síochána will ensure that the membership of the organisation can evolve to more closely to reflect the society that it serves.