Patrick Costello (Dublin South Central, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

653. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the total number of community gardaí posts nationally broken down by division; and the total number of such posts currently filled broken down by division. [51502/22]

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

The Government is committed to ensuring that An Garda Síochána has the resources it needs, with the unprecedented allocation provided in Budget 2023 of €2.14 billion.This unprecedented amount will fund the recruitment of up to 1,000 new Garda recruits as well as over 400 Garda staff.

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.

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, and that there are no set requirements to have a specific number of Community Gardaí posts across the Divisions.

I am advised by the Garda authorities that at the 31 August 2022, the latest date for which figures are available, there were 768 Community Gardaí. This represents an increase of over 9% since end December 2019 when there were 702 Community Gardaí.

The table below, which has been provided to me by the Garda authorities, sets out the number of Community Gardaí by Division at 31 August 2022, the latest date for which figures are available. 

*The above information is based upon operational data which has been provided by An Garda Síochána and may be liable to change.

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.

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

654. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if any further official events will take place to commemorate the centenary of the foundation of An Garda Síochána; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51513/22]

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

As the Deputy is aware, Ireland marked the centenary of An Garda Síochána in 2022 with a number of official events. 

Four national commemorative events have already taken place this year to mark the centenary. These are:

- 24 May 2022: Gresham Hotel, Dublin to commemorate the inaugural meeting of the committee which founded An Garda Síochána.

- 13 July 2022: An Garda Síochána launched Garda Centenary Photographic Archive 1922 - 2022.

- 27 August 2022: National Commemorative Event in Dublin Castle.

- 5September 2022: An Garda Síochána Launched Official Centenary Book - The Guardians

I am informed that there is one national commemorative event scheduled for the remainder of the year. This event will be held in St Patrick's Hall on 10 December 2022. 

I am also informed that a number of localised events have taken place in Divisions across the country, in addition to the national events. These events have included the presentation of a Centenary Service Medal to all serving and retired Garda members and a coin to Garda staff. There have also been local exhibitions on Garda history and heritage.