Patrick Costello (Dublin South Central, Green Party)
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150. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of community gardaí assigned to each station within the DMR west and DMR south central areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10428/23]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The Government is committed to ensuring that An Garda Síochána has the resources it needs, with the unprecedented allocation provided in Budget 2023 of over €2 billion.This unprecedented amount will fund the planned recruitment of up to 1,000 new Garda recruits as well as over 400 Garda staff.

As the Deputy will be aware, under the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the administration and management of An Garda Síochána, including for the recruitment, training and deployment of Garda members . As Minister, I have no role in such matters.

I am however assured that Garda management keeps the distribution of resources under continual review.

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

The table below, which has been provided to me by the Garda authorities, sets out the number of Community Gardaí assigned to both the D.M.R. West and D.M.R. South Central Divisions at 31 January 2023, the latest date for which figures are available.

Please note that this information is based upon operational data which has been provided by An Garda Síochána and may be liable to change.

It is important to note 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.

Patricia Ryan (Kildare South, Sinn Fein)
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151. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of gardaí assigned to the Newbridge, Kildare and Athy areas of County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10481/23]

Patricia Ryan (Kildare South, Sinn Fein)
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153. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of Garda personnel in Newbridge Garda station per working shift to serve a town of almost 30,000 people. [10483/23]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 151 and 153 together.

As the Deputy will be aware, under the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the administration and management of Garda business, including responsibility for the recruitment and training of Garda members and staff. The Commissioner is also responsible under Section 33 of the Act for the distribution and stationing of the Garda Síochána throughout the State. As Minister, I have no role in these independent functions. 

The spreadsheet at the link sets out the number of Garda members assigned to Kildare Division at 31 January 2023, the latest date for which figures are available.

You will appreciate that the number of persons on shift in a Garda station at any one time is an operational matter. Due to shift patterns, it is not possible to give such numbers. In addition, this information is not disclosed for sound operational security reasons.

I can, however, assure the Deputy that the Government is committed to building stronger, safer communities and a strengthened Garda Síochána is at the centre of that. 

Since 2015, the budget for An Garda Síochána has increased by approximately €672m, or 46%. This has allowed for sustained and ongoing recruitment and as Minister, I am committed to delivering the necessary resources to bring the number of Gardaí to 15,000 and beyond.

Since the reopening of the Garda College in September 2014 a total of 4,029 Garda members have attested, this includes the 369 Probationers who attested in 2022 and the 24 Probationers who attested on the 13 January 2023.

I am informed by the Garda authorities that at end January 2023 there were 14,125 Garda members nationwide. This represents an increase of over 10% since end December 2015 when there were 12,816 Garda members nationwide. 

Please note that this information is based upon operational data which has been provided by An Garda Síochána and may be liable to change.

For the Deputy's information, detailed statistics on Garda workforce numbers are published on gov.ie and are updated regularly by my Department from information provided by An Garda Síochána. The statistics can be accessed using the following link:

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

Patricia Ryan (Kildare South, Sinn Fein)
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152. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality his views on crime prevention resources in the Newbridge area of County Kildare. [10482/23]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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I have requested an update from the Garda authorities on the crime prevention resources in Newbridge, Co Kildare and I will contact the Deputy directly once the information is to hand.