Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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Under Section 26 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of Garda business, including resource management.

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, an increase of €78 million on last year.

While the Commissioner is operationally responsible, 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.

The following table, which was provided to me by An Garda Síochána, shows the personnel strength of Ballymun District and community Gardaí attached to the district:

The Deputy will also be aware that, 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.

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.gov.ie/en/publication/bd777-an-garda-siochana-your-police-service-some-facts-and-figures/.

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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Under Section 26 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of Garda business, including resource management.

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, an increase of €78 million on last year.

While the Commissioner is operationally responsible, 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.

The table below, provided to me by An Garda Síochána shows the number of Gardaí attached to the DMR North Division drugs unit which Ballymun District is part of:

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy will be aware, in accordance with the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána. This includes responsibility for the deployment of Garda members throughout the State. As Minister, I have no role in the matter.

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 the table below sets out the Preliminary figures as provided by CSO for Census 2022, for the DMR. I am further advised that a breakdown by district is not yet available, and I will revert to the Deputy when this information is available.

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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While the Garda Commissioner is responsible for operational matters, my Department, and the whole of Government, are acutely aware of the sustained and significant damage that drug dealing has on communities across the country.

I can also assure the Deputy that tackling drug dealing and associated criminal activity, including by organised crime groups, is a top priority for An Garda Síochána and the wider Government.

The government has allocated An Garda Síochána with an unprecedented budget of over €2 billion in 2022 and now €2.14 billion for 2023. This level of funding is enabling sustained, ongoing recruitment of Garda members and staff.

The additional resources allocated to AGS in recent years have enabled the Garda Commissioner to assign extra resources to the specialist services involved in tackling organised crime.

These include the Armed Support Units, Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau (GNDOCB), the National Bureau of Criminal Investigation, and the Criminal Assets Bureau (CAB).

I am advised by the Garda authorities that the table below shows the personnel strength of the DMR West drugs unit, the Garda Division that Finglas is part of:

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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I am advised by the Garda authorities that the below table sets out the number of Garda members assigned to Finglas Garda station, and the number specifically assigned to Community Policing duties in the station, for the time period requested by the Deputy:

It is important to note that community policing is at the heart of An Garda Síochána, and all Gardaí have a role to play in community policing in the course of carrying out their duties. To date, the official categorisation as a Community Garda refers to those who are exclusively assigned to building relationships with local communities and civil society, including by giving talks to schools, community groups and others.

The Government has allocated An Garda Síochána with an unprecedented budget of over €2 billion in 2022 and now €2.14 billion for 2023. This level of funding is enabling sustained, ongoing recruitment of Garda members and staff.

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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I have requested the information from An Garda Síochána, and will respond to the Deputy when this is available.