Cathal Crowe (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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38. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of Gardaí within the East Clare – North Tipperary functional area; the number of Garda vehicles available, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38019/24]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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The Government is committed to building stronger, safer communities and this is reflected in the allocation of over €2.35 billion in Budget 2024. This unprecedented level of funding is allowing for the continued recruitment of Garda members and staff and investment in technology and equipment.

While the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána, including the deployment of Garda members throughout the State, I am assured that Garda management keeps the distribution of resources under continual review in the context of policing priorities and crime trends.

As the Deputy may be aware, the new Garda Operating Model is currently being rolled out across the country and is fully commenced in 16 Garda Divisions, including Clare/Tipperary. The new model will provide more frontline Gardaí and increased Garda visibility, and will deliver a wider range of policing services for people in their local area.

Under the Model, each Division has, for the first time, a Superintendent dedicated to Crime, a Superintendent dedicated to Governance and Performance Assurance, and a number of Superintendents in charge of Community Engagement.

I can inform the Deputy that as of 30 June there are 656 Garda members assigned to the Clare / Tipperary division. Furthermore, there are currently 78 vehicles assigned to Tipperary and 54 vehicles assigned to Clare.

Recruitment is now gathering real momentum and the number of recruits in the Garda training college continue to increase; a total of 746 trainees entered the training college in 2023. That was the highest intake in any year since 2018 and a six fold increase on 2022. Of those who entered the Garda college last year, 430 have attested this year, including 108 last week.

In the interest of transparency, further breakdowns on 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/