Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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556. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the current total strength of An Garda Síochána, by gender; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36254/22]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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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 role in these matters.

I am advised by the Garda authorities that at 31 May 2022, the latest date for which figures are available, there were 14,347 Garda members nationwide.

For the Deputy's information the table below which has been provided to me by the Garda authorities, sets out the number of Gardaí by rank and gender at the end of May 2022.  

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.

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. 

In the interests of transparency, further detailed information in relation to Garda numbers can be found 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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557. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the extent to which ongoing protective measures are taken to ensure the maximum protection for An Garda Síochána while in the course of their duties and having regard to the number of gardaí who have been injured during the course of their work; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36255/22]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy will be aware, under the Garda Síochána Act 2005, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the administration and management of An Garda Síochána, including personnel matters. As Minister, I have no direct role in these matters.

I am advised by the Garda authorities that to ensure that Garda members can safely and effectively carry out their statutory and common-law duties, they are trained in arrest and restraint techniques. In addition, Gardaí are provided with the following personal protective equipment (PPE) and trained in its use:

- Ballistic stab vest

- Asp baton

- Incapacitant Spray

- Rigid handcuffs

In addition, while the criminal law in this area is being kept under ongoing review, there are a range of robust legislative provisions available to the Garda authorities in circumstances where threats or assaults are made against Gardaí.

Any assault causing harm on any person is an offence under section 3 of the Non–Fatal Offences Against the Person Act 1997. A person convicted of such an offence would be liable on summary conviction to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months or to a maximum fine of €2,500 or both, or on conviction on indictment, to a fine, or to imprisonment, for a term not exceeding 5 years or both.

Furthermore, an assault on a member of An Garda Síochána, a prison officer, a member of the fire brigade, ambulance personnel, or a member of the Defence Forces would constitute an offence under section 19 of the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act 1994. A person convicted of such an offence would be liable on summary conviction to a maximum fine of €5,000, or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months, or both. A person convicted of such an offence on indictment would be liable to a fine, or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 7 years, or both.

The table below, provided to me by the Garda authorities, shows the breakdown of occupational injuries to Garda members between 1 January 2017 and 31 December 2021.