Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1342 and 1343 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 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 following tables, which have been provided to me by the Garda authorities, set out the number of Gardaí assigned to Bridwell, Mountjoy, and Cabra Garda stations at end December 2016 up to end December 2021 and at 31 May 2022, the latest date for which figures are available. 

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

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy will be aware, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of Garda business under Section 26 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended). The Commissioner is also responsible under Section 33 of the Act for determining the deployment of An Garda Síochána throughout the State. As Minister, I play no role in these independent functions and have no part in determining the hours that individual Garda stations are open to the public. 

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.

It is my understanding that Bridewell and Mountjoy Garda Stations are part of the Dublin Metropolitan Region (DMR) North Central Division and that Cabra Station is part of the DMR West Division. 

The Garda authorities have advised me that the following are the current opening times of the public office of each station.