Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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225. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the extent to which crime levels of an anti-social nature in County Kildare continue to be addressed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38467/24]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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While I have no direct role in the assignment of Gardaí or any Garda resource, I am assured by the Garda Commissioner that personnel assigned throughout the country, together with the overall policing arrangements and operational strategies are continually monitored and reviewed. In regard to the deployment of Garda personnel, a distribution model is used which takes into account all relevant factors including population, crime trends and the policing needs of each individual Division.

In 2024, I provided a budget allocation of over €2.35 billion to An Garda Síochána. This is a 25% increase on 2020 and will allow for sustained investment in recruitment, equipment and technology.

As of the end of June 2024, there were 418 Garda members assigned to the Kildare Division, which is an increase of over 5% since the end of December 2019, when there were 397 Gardaí in the Division. The current total includes 141 members assigned to the Kildare District, 108 assigned to the Leixlip District and 169 members assigned to the Naas District.

Since 2015, 205 probationer Gardaí have been assigned to the Kildare Garda Division and that includes 16 so far in 2024.

I have taken a number of actions to support increased recruitment into An Garda Síochána. We have significantly increased the Garda Training allowance to €354 per week and increased the age of entry from 35 to 50. Earlier this month, I also announced changes to the Garda mandatory retirement age. Members of An Garda Síochána can now continue to work to 62 if they wish to do so.

I can also assure the Deputy that the Government is determined to tackle anti-social behaviour and its causes. A number of priority actions are contained in the Programme for Government to reduce instances of such behaviour and help people to be safe and feel safe in their local communities. As you may know, the establishment of the Anti-Social Behaviour Forum, which is chaired by my colleague, Minister of State James Browne was a key programme for government commitment.