Neasa Hourigan (Dublin Central, Green Party)
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1337. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of community gardaí stationed at the Bridewell Garda station and Cabra Garda station, respectively; the comparable figures for each station in each of the past five years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30201/22]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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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 (as amended). Under Section 33 of the Act, the Commissioner is responsible for the distribution of Garda members throughout the State. As Minister, I have no direct role in these matters.

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 optimal use. I understand that it is a matter for the Divisional Chief Superintendent to determine the 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 am advised by the Garda authorities that on 30 April 2022, the latest date for which figures are available, there were 56 Community Gardaí assigned to the DMR North Central and 64 Community Gardaí assigned to the DMR West. 

The following table, which has been provided to me by the Garda authorities, sets out the number of Community Gardaí assigned to Bridewell and Cabra Garda stations at end of December for the years 2018 up to December 2021, and at 30 April 2022, the latest date for which figures are available. 

To date, the official categorisation as a Community Garda has simply referred to those members 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.

In the interests of transparency, 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 and Community Policing numbers.

The information can be found at the following link:

www.justice.ie/en/JELR/Pages/An_Garda_Siochana_facts_and_figures