Patrick Costello (Dublin South Central, Green Party)
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1179. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the total number of gardaí currently staffing the stations at Ballyfermot, Crumlin, Sundrive Road, Kilmainham, Terenure, and Kevin Street; the total number of vacancies; the total number of community guards; and the number of vacancies. [38375/23]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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I can assure the Deputy the Government is committed to building stronger, safer communities and the 2023 budget of over €2 billion will allow for the continued recruitment of Garda members and staff, with Garda recruits entering Templemore approximately every 11 weeks.

Overall, since 2015 there has been an almost 9% net increase in the number of Gardaí. These Gardaí are supported by around 3,140 Garda staff, which is over 56% more than the number of staff in 2015. This increases the availability of Gardaí to concentrate on frontline policing duties.

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 distribution and stationing of the Garda Síochána throughout the State. As Minister, I have no role in these independent functions.

I am assured by the Commissioner that the requirements of all Garda Divisions nationwide are taken into account. These requirements include, but are not limited to:

• Local and national crime trends and workloads
• Policing arrangements and operational strategies
• Minimum establishment statistics
• Local population and trends, geographical area and size
• Transfer applications, including welfare, personnel issues and concerns

I am advised that authorised figures for unfilled posts at both Garda and Sergeant uniform ranks within divisions are not held by An Garda Síochána.

I am informed by the Garda authorities that the Garda stations referred to by the Deputy are located within the DMR South, DMR South Central and DMR West Divisions. The Tables below, which were provided to me by the Garda authorities, set out the number of Garda members assigned to each Division at end December 2015 and at end July 2023 (the latest date for when figures are available).

For the Deputy’s information a comprehensive station level breakdown is appended below.

Furthermore, the tables below set out the number of Garda staff assigned to the DMR South, South Central and West Divisions at end December 2015 and at end July 2023 (the latest date for when figures are available).

This increase in Garda staff numbers means that as well as new Gardaí assigned to the Division, additional Gardaí can be redeployed from administrative to operational policing duties, where their training and policing expertise can be used to best effect.

I want to emphasise 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. I am informed that at end July 2023, the latest date for which figures are available, there were 46 Community Gardaí assigned to the DMR South, 50 Community Garda assigned to the DMR South Central and 61 Community Gardaí assigned to the DMR West. The tables below sets out the location of these Community Gardaí by Station.

All information provided above is based upon operational data which has been provided by An Garda Síochána and may be subject to change.

The Deputy will wish to be aware that 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/

Patrick Costello (Dublin South Central, Green Party)
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1180. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality for the number of e-scooters and other vehicles seized by An Garda Síochána. [38378/23]

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, including all operational policing matters. As Minister, I have no role in these matters, nor can I direct the Commissioner with regard to them.

I can, however, assure the Deputy that the Government is committed to building stronger, safer communities and a strengthened, well-resourced Garda Síochána is central to this policy. This commitment is demonstrated by the unprecedented provision of over €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 informed by the Garda authorities that the Road Traffic and Roads Act 2023 took effect from 31 July 2023. Since then, there have been 2,073 incidents whereby a vehicle was detained or seized on public roads. 15 of these incidents involved an e-scooter.

I am advised that these figures are based on incidents which occurred from 1 August 2023 to 29 August 2023, inclusive. All information contained in this report is based upon operational data from the PULSE system as was available on 30 August 2023 and may be liable to change. I am also advised that vehicle detentions or seizures are not confined to those detained or seized under section 41 of the Road Traffic Act.