Jennifer Murnane O'Connor (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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100. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of gardaí in County Carlow; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8558/22]

James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy will be aware, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the general management and administration of the Garda organisation under the Garda Síochána Act 2005. This includes the deployment of Garda members throughout the State.

I am assured that Garda management keeps the 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.

The budget provided by Government to the Garda Commissioner continues to increase to unprecedented levels, with an allocation in excess of €2 billion for 2022, which includes funding for the recruitment of up to 800 additional Garda trainees and up to 400 Garda staff. This significant investment demonstrates the Government's commitment to increasing the Garda workforce to enable the organisation to keep our communities safe, including in Co. Carlow, and to preventing crime in all its forms.

I can inform the Deputy that as at 31 January 2022, the latest date for which figures are available, there are 114 Garda members assigned to Garda Stations in County Carlow, an increase of approximately 7.5% per cent since the end of 2015, when there were 106 Gardaí assigned to Carlow Garda Stations. In addition, as at 31 December 2021, there are 14 civilian staff.

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 response to the COVID-19 pandemic has also had an exceptional impact across the country over the past two years.However, I am pleased to note that recruitment has resumed and that there are currently 234 trainees engaged in training. I was also pleased to launch a new Garda recruitment campaign last week.