Paul McAuliffe (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

47. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the allocation of community gardaí and sergeants to Finglas Garda station in the K district; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26118/22]

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

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. 

The Government is committed to ensuring that An Garda Síochána has the resources it needs, with an unprecedented allocation provided in Budget 2022 of over €2 billion.

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.

I can inform the Deputy that as at 30 April 2022, the latest date for which figures are available, there are 102 Garda members assigned to Finglas Garda Station, of which one sergeant and 10 Garda members are categorised as Community Gardaí. The number of Gardaí categorised as Community Gardaí assigned to Finglas Garda Station has increased by 10% since the end of 2016, when there were 10 Garda members but no sergeant categorised as Community Gardaí.

As the Deputy will be aware, to date the official categorisation as a Community Garda has simply referred to those who are exclusively assigned to building relationships with local communities and civil society, including giving talks to schools, community groups and others. It is important to note, however, that community policing is at the heart of An Garda Síochána and that all Gardaí have a role to play in community policing in the course of carrying out their duties.

Indeed, this is fundamental to the new Garda Operating Model recommended by the Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland and currently being rolled out under 'A Policing Service for Our Future', the Government's implementation plan for the Commission's recommendations.