Pádraig O'Sullivan (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

133. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality for a comparison of the Garda personnel resources on the ground in Newbridge versus Portlaoise; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43324/24]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Everyone deserves to be safe and feel safe in their own communities, and of course having a visible Garda presence in the community is an important part of that.

Garda funding has increased by over €500m, up 27% since 2020, bringing the total budget to €2.48 billion for 2025, building on the unprecedented allocations of over €2 billion for 2023 and €2.35 billion for 2024. This consistent funding demonstrates the Government's commitment to ensuring An Garda Síochána has provision to recruit the personnel it needs to carry out its vital policing work.

While the Commissioner is responsible for 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.

There are currently over 14,000 Garda members across the country compared to 12,816 in 2015. This is an increase of around 9%.

The tables below have been provided to me by the Garda authorities and outlines the number of Garda by rank attached to Newbridge and Portlaoise Garda stations as of 30 June 2024, the latest date for which figures are available.

The Deputy may also wish to be aware of the table, which shows the divisional total of Garda by rank under the Garda operating model system for Kildare and Laois / Offaly as of 30 June 2024.

Please be advised that these figures are operational and may be subject to change.

In the interest of transparency, information in relation to the allocation of Garda members by Division, District, and Station is publicly available and can be found at the following link. I can also advise the Deputy that I have received the most recent figures for June from An Garda Síochána which have been published on the website:

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