Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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565. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the total number of gardaí now available at any one given time; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26496/22]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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566. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the total strength of An Garda Síochána at present; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26497/22]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 565 and 566 together.

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

As the Deputy will be aware, in accordance with the Garda Síochána Act 2005, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána, which includes decisions on the deployment of personnel among the various Garda Divisions. As Minister, I have no direct role in these matters.

I am advised by the Garda authorities that the overall strength of An Garda Síochána at 30 April 2022, the latest date for which figures are available, is 14,294. This represents an increase of  over 11% since December 2015, when there were 12,816 Garda members nationwide. 

Additionally, over 800 Garda members have also been redeployed in recent years from administrative duties to frontline policing roles where their expertise can be utilised fully. 

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. Therefore, the full complement of resources fluctuates at any given time and where a deficiency in resources is identified the matter is considered fully and addressed accordingly.

I am further informed that it is not possible to provide a figure for the number of Gardaí on duty at any one time due to the fluctuating nature of crossovers, rosters, and other necessary changes.

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. 

Further detailed information in relation to Garda numbers is available on my Department’s website.  This information is updated every month with the latest data provided by An Garda Síochána, and includes the number of Gardaí by station across the whole country.

The information can be found at the following link: www.justice.ie/en/JELR/Pages/An_Garda_Siochana_facts_and_figures.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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567. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the extent to which improved Garda protection while on duty exists with particular reference to the increasingly violent society; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26498/22]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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I have contacted the Garda authorities to provide the information sought by the Deputy; unfortunately this was not to hand in time. I will write to the Deputy once the information is received. 

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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568. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of gardaí injured in the course of their duties in each of the past five years to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26499/22]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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I have requested the information sought by the Deputy from the Garda authorities.  Unfortunately this was not to hand in time. I will write to the Deputy once the information is received.