Written answers
Tuesday, 4 July 2023
Department of Justice and Equality
An Garda Síochána
Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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421. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the present number of Gardaí allocated to the Drogheda district, by rank, since 2020; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32159/23]
Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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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 the recruitment, training and deployment of Garda members. As Minister, I have no role in these independent functions and am unable to seek to direct, or otherwise influence, the Commissioner in such matters.
I can however assure the Deputy that the Government is committed to building stronger, safer communities, including in Drogheda where progress through the Drogheda Implementation Plan is charting a path to improved community wellbeing in the town.
A strengthened, well-resourced Garda Síochána is central to the Government's policy of building stronger, safer communities. This commitment is demonstrated by the unprecedented provision of in excess of €2 billion to the Garda Vote this year, which is allowing for sustained and ongoing recruitment and investment in new equipment and new vehicles.
I am assured that the Commissioner keeps the allocation of these resources under continued review, in line with crime and population trends, to ensure their optimum use.
I am advised by the Garda authorities that the table below sets out the number of Garda members assigned to the Drogheda district at the end of December 2020, 2021 and 2022 and at end May 2023, the latest date for which figures are available. I have also been advised that there has been an increase of almost 40% since 2015, when there were 106 Garda members assigned.
| Drogheda Garda District | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 (as of 31 May) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Garda | 124 | 127 | 122 | 119 |
| Sergeant | 22 | 19 | 22 | 21 |
| Inspector | 4 | 4 | 6 | 5 |
| Superintendent | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Chief Superintendent | 1 | 1 | ||
| Total | 152 | 152 | 151 | 146 |
For the Deputy's information, and in the interest of transparency, 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/
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