Pauline Tully (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

27. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of gardaí in the Cavan/Monaghan drug unit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7678/23]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

As the Deputy will appreciate, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána. This includes the allocation of Garda members to a given Division, District or Station or their assignment to specialist units.

I am advised by Garda authorities that, as of end of December 2022, the latest date for which figures are available, there are under 10 Gardaí attached to the Cavan/Monaghan drugs unit. I am further advised by the Garda authorities that counts of less than 10 cannot be provided and due to the impact on operational effectiveness and security.

I can assure the Deputy that the Commissioner keeps the allocation of resources under continued review to ensure their best use. Local and senior Garda management are also consulted during the allocation of personnel to ensure the continued level of delivery of policing services within Garda Divisions.

I am informed by the Garda authorities that when consideration is given to the allocation of resources account is given to commitments and undertakings outlined in the Annual Policing Plan and priorities as determined in delivering ‘A Policing Service for The Future’, including commitments related to the continued roll-out of the Operating Model of policing.

Other factors considered include the following: local and national crime trends and workloads; policing arrangements and operational strategies; and local population trends and geographical area.

My Department remains committed to ensuring that An Garda Síochána has the resources needed to perform its vital role in the community. We are committed to building stronger, safer communities and a strengthened Garda Síochána is at the heart of that. This has been reflected in the unprecedented allocation of over €2 billion in Budget 2023 to support high-visibility policing.

Martin Kenny (Sligo-Leitrim, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

28. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if he will provide an update in relation to the ongoing roster discussions between Garda management and the Garda Commissioner. [7534/23]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

As the Deputy will be aware, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána, which includes the deployment and rostering of staff.  As Minister, I have no role in the management of these functions.

As the Deputy will be aware, the Commission on the Future of Policing concluded that Garda rostering arrangements should be replaced by tailored rosters that work better for both police and the communities they serve.

I am regularly informed by the Commissioner on matters impacting Garda members, including matters related to rostering. The current Garda roster was introduced by the Commissioner to deal with the specific policing requirements that arose during the Covid pandemic. It was always intended by the Commissioner to be a temporary roster, to be replaced in due course. 

There has been engagement over a prolonged period of time on the matter of roster reform.  To assist this process an independent facilitator was appointed in July 2021. He published his recommendations on roster reform in August 2022 following intensive discussions with Garda Management and Garda Associations.

The Commissioner, the Association of Garda Chief Superintendents, and the Association of Garda Superintendents have accepted these new proposals.  The Associations of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors rejected the proposals following a ballot of their members and the Garda Representative Association rejected them without a ballot.  Garda Management continue to engage on the matter in line with An Garda Síochána dispute resolutions procedures.

In the meantime, the Commissioner has confirmed that the current roster will remain in place until 16 April 2023. The Commissioner has also confirmed that any new roster will be notified to all members three months of it coming into operation.