Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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As you may be aware, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána under Section 26 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), which includes all operational policing matters. As Minister, I play no role in these independent functions.

The table below gives details of the number of Gardaí who completed the van/personal carrier course from 2022 to date 2024.

I am informed that the duration of the course is five days.

Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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510. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of trainee and newly attested Garda officers that were deployed and or stationed at Bray Garda station in 2022, 2023 and to date in 2024. [16325/24]

Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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511. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of whole-time-equivalent gardaí and civilians, by rank and grade, which are attached to Bray Garda station as of 9 April 2024. [16326/24]

Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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512. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if she will provide a breakdown of the Garda vehicle fleet allocated on a full-time basis at Bray Garda station. [16327/24]

Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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513. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of dedicated community Garda officers stationed at Bray Garda station. [16328/24]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 510 to 513, inclusive, 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 An Garda Síochána, including the distribution of Garda members and Garda vehicles between different Garda units and Divisions. As Minister, I have no role in such matters.

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 more than €2.35 billion to An Garda Síochána this year, which is allowing for sustained and ongoing recruitment and investment in new equipment and new vehicles.

In addition to new recruits, the roll-out of the new Garda Operating Model will support the redeployment of Gardaí from non-core duties to front-line 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 am advised by the Garda authorities that, as of 31 March 2024, the latest date for when figures are available, there were a total of 14,059 Garda members nationwide. This represents an increase of almost 10% since the end of December 2015. In addition, the civilianisation programme has freed up almost 900 Garda members from back office work for front line policing work since 2015

I can inform the Deputy that, at the end of March 2024, there were 289 Garda members assigned to Wicklow Division. These Garda members are supported by 33 Garda staff, an increase of 50% since the end of December 2015.

As of the same date there were 84 Garda members, which includes 68 Gardaí, 11 Sergeants, 4 Inspectors and 1 Superintendent and 9 Clerical Officers (8.5 WTE) and 6 (5.6 WTE) Executive Officers assigned to Bray Garda station.

I can inform the Deputy that a total of 88 Probationer Gardaí have been assigned to Wicklow Division since 2015. The table below, which was provided to me by the Garda authorities, sets out the number of Probationer Gardaí who were assigned to Wicklow Division by station.

Community policing is at the heart of An Garda Síochána, and all Gardaí have a role to play in community policing in the course of carrying out their duties. Community policing is also fundamental to the new Garda Operating Model which is currently being rolled across the country and is fully commenced in thirteen Garda divisions.

The new model will provide more front-line Gardaí, increased Garda visibility, and a wider range of policing services for people in their local area. It will divide service delivery within division into four functional areas, one of the most important areas being Community Engagement. This will allow for a greater, more consistent focus on community policing in all divisions.

The Garda authorities have advised that a member of An Garda Síochána can be deemed to be a ‘Community Garda’ where that person is allocated to a Community Policing Team (CPT) and is responsible and accountable for applying a problem–solving approach to appropriate crime and policing quality of life issues in a specified geographic area through partnership and engagement. Examples of this engagement are working with Neighbourhood Watch, Community Alert, or local business fora.

At the end of March 2024 there were 8 Community Gardaí assigned to Wicklow Division, an increase of 60% since the end of December 2022. I am advised that at the end of March there were 4 Community Gardaí assigned to Bray Garda station.

There are now 3,513 vehicles in the Garda fleet, the highest ever and a 34% increase since 2015. I am advised by the Garda authorities that at the end of March 2024 there were 68 vehicles attached to Wicklow Division. I am further advised that An Garda Síochána do not supply a breakdown of vehicle type by station for operational reasons.

*The category 'others' refers to MPV, SUV, Minibus or Prisoner Conveyance Vehicles

The Deputy may wish to be aware that information in relation to the allocation of Gardaí by Division and Station can be found at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/publication/bd777-an-garda-siochana-your-police-service-some-facts-and-figures/