Mark Ward (Dublin Mid West, Sinn Fein)
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499. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of gardaí per Dublin metropolitan region area in each of the years 2011 to 2021; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3394/22]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, 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 deployment of Garda members. 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 further understand that it is a matter for the Divisional Chief Superintendent to determine the optimum distribution of duties among the personnel available to him or her, having regard to the profile of each area within the Division and its specific needs.

I am advised by the Garda authorities that the table below details the number of Gardaí assigned to each Division within the Dublin Metropolitan Region (D.M.R) in each of the years 2011 to 2021.

As the Deputy will appreciate, Garda numbers nationwide can be affected by a number of factors, including retirements, medical discharges and resignations. The impact of policing measures and other steps to support the public health restrictions has also, exceptionally, had an impact across the country over the past two years.However, I am pleased to note that recruitment has resumed and that there are currently 231 trainees engaged in training.

I am also pleased to note that 148 members of An Garda Síochána were recently assigned to Garda Divisions throughout the country following two attestations this month.

Budget 2022 has provided an unprecedented allocation of in excess of €2 billion to An Garda Síochána, which includes funding for the recruitment of up to an additional 800 Gardaí and a further 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.

For the Deputy's information, detailed statistics on Garda workforce numbers are published on my Department's website and updated on a monthly basis.