Peadar Tóibín (Meath West, Aontú)
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1052.To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of times gardaí have been called to incidents involving persons entering or seeking to enter the River Corrib in Galway city, in each of the past five years, and to date in 2024.[33816/24]

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.

However, to be of assistance I sought the information requested by the Deputy from An Garda Síochána and have been advised that the table below includes the results of a search of the PULSE database for all incidents of 'Person Misadventure' in the Garda district of Galway, which included the incident narrative 'Corrib' or 'river'. Please note that this information is operational and may be subject to change.

Peadar Tóibín (Meath West, Aontú)
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1053.To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of times gardaí have been called to incidents involving persons entering or seeking to enter the river Shannon in Limerick city in each of the past five years and to date in 2024, in tabular form.[33817/24]

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.

However, to be of assistance I sought the information requested by the Deputy from An Garda Síochána and have been advised that the table below includes the results of a search of the PULSE database for all incidents of 'Person Misadventure' in the Garda sub-districts of Henry Street and Roxboro Road, which included the incident narrative 'Shannon' or 'river'. Please note that this information is operational and may be subject to change.

Darren O'Rourke (Meath East, Sinn Fein)
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1054.To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of gardaí, by rank and by station, in County Meath; and if she will make a statement on the matter.[33832/24]

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 distribution of Garda members between the 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 over €2.35 billion to the Garda Vote this year, which is allowing for sustained and ongoing recruitment and investment in new equipment and new vehicles.

In addition to new recruits, the rollout of the new Garda Operating Model will support the redeployment of Gardaí from non-core duties to frontline 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 30 June 2024, the latest date for when figures are available, there was a total of 14,100 Garda members nationwide. This represents an increase of 10% since the end of December 2015.

In the interest of transparency, information in relation to the allocation of Gardaí by Division, District, Station and Rank is publicly available and can be found at the following link:

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

Claire Kerrane (Roscommon-Galway, Sinn Fein)
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1055.To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of gardaí on transfer lists; and if she will make a statement on the matter.[33858/24]

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, this includes all Garda HR matters and the distribution of Garda members throughout the State. As Minister I have no role in these matters

I am advised by the Garda authorities that all members of An Garda Síochána who have completed their two year probationary period may submit an application for transfer to another Division. At this time, approximately 550 members, across Garda ranks, have a live transfer application. In the 12 month period from July 2023 to July 2024, approximately 300 transfer applications were approved.

I am further advised that applications for transfer are considered on an ongoing basis to meet the needs of the organisation, as well as in the context of new probationer Garda allocations. In considering the transfer of personnel, particular consideration is given to the resourcing needs of the member’s current Division and those of the Division(s) to which they have applied to transfer, as well as the welfare circumstances of members themselves. For those members who do require welfare assistance, the Garda Employee Assistance Service is also in a position to provide support.