Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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64. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the plans to enhance policing in rural communities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2034/23]

James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy will be aware the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the administration and management of An Garda Síochána. This includes the allocation of resources, including Garda personnel to a given Division, District or Station. 

I would like to assure the Deputy that the Government is committed to creating stronger and safer rural and urban communities and a strengthened Garda Síochána is at the heart of that. My Department is committed to ensuring that An Garda Síochána has the resources it needs, with an unprecedented allocation provided in Budget 2023 of over €2 billion. This includes provision for the recruitment of a further 1,000 Gardaí.

In addition to new recruits, the rollout of the new Garda Operating Model will support the redeployment of Gardaí from non-core duties to frontline policing across the country. The new model will see larger Divisions with more resources, increased Garda visibility in communities, a wider range of locally delivered policing services, and a strong focus on community policing.

I recognise that rural safety is not just about the number of Gardaí in rural communities. Community safety is a whole of Government responsibility and it requires a multi-agency approach. Under my Department's community safety policy, new Local Community Safety Partnerships will replace and build upon the existing Joint Policing Committees. These new partnerships will provide an enhanced forum for State agencies and local community representatives to work together to act on community concerns. Three pilot partnerships are currently underway in Longford, Waterford and Dublin's North Inner City.

Last year I was delighted to publish the Rural Safety Plan 2022-2024 at the Ploughing Championships in September. The plan gathers together the excellent work underway relating to rural safety and is a testament to the committed collaboration between the various stakeholder organisations. The Plan identifies 5 main priorities in relation to rural safety:

1. Community Safety
2. Burglary and Theft
3. Roads Policing
4. Animal Crime
5. Heritage Crime