Thomas Pringle (Donegal, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

487. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of gardaí in the Ballymun and Finglas drugs unit and in the Ballymun and Finglas community policing unit in each of the years 2011 to 2021; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3145/22]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

As the Deputy will appreciate, 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 made in light of identified operational demands. This includes decisions on the deployment of personnel among the various Garda Divisions. As Minister, I have no direct role in these matters.

I am assured, however, that Garda management keeps this distribution of resources under continual review in the context of policing priorities and crime trends, to ensure their optimum use. I understand that it is a matter for the Divisional Chief Superintendent to determine the optimum distribution of duties among the personnel available to them, having regard to the profile of each area within the Division and its specific needs.

As the Deputy is aware, Ballymun Garda station is located within DMR North Division and Finglas Garda station is located within the DMR West Division.

The table below, provided to me by the Garda authorities, shows the number of Gardaí attached to the DMR North Drugs Unit and DMR West Drugs Unit. The table also includes the number of Gardaí attached to Ballymun and Finglas Community Policing Units.

Budget 2022 has provided an unprecedented allocation of in excess of €2 billion to An Garda Síochána, which includes funding for the recruitment of 800 additional Garda Trainees and 400 Garda staff, subject to the public health situation. This significant investment demonstrates the Government's commitment to increasing the Garda workforce to enable the organisation to keep our communities safe and preventing crime in all its forms.