Thomas Gould (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

300. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of unanswered 911 calls originating in Cork, in each of the past 12 months, in tabular form. [45729/24]

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

As the Deputy will be aware, the Garda Commissioner is by law responsible for all operational policing matters, including responses by An Garda Síochána to emergency calls. As Minister, I have no direct role in these matters.

I am advised by the Garda authorities that An Garda Síochána operates a Regional Control Room strategy which ensures that Garda resources are available to respond to calls for service from the public, including situations where a local resource is not immediately available.

I am informed by the Garda authorities that all 112 or 999 calls were answered in the Southern Regional Control Centre, Cork City during the last 12 months.

I hope that this information is of assistance.

Sorca Clarke (Longford-Westmeath, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

301. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of Gardaí currently working in each of the Garda stations in Longford and Westmeath, by rank, in tabular form. [45799/24]

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

As the Deputy will be aware, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the deployment of Garda members throughout the State under the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended) and, as Minister, I have no role in these independent functions.

I can, however, assure you 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 €2.48 billion in Budget 2025. This funding will support the recruitment of new Garda members, Garda staff and Garda Reserves, and reflects the Government’s commitment to supporting all parts of the organisation.

I am informed by the Garda authorities that a distribution model is used which takes into account all relevant factors including population, crime trends and the policing needs of each individual Division.

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. Such monitoring ensures that optimum use is made of resources and the best possible policing service is provided to the general public.

At the end of June 2024 there were 546 Garda members assigned to Meath/Westmeath Division and 94 members assigned to Longford Community Engagement Area (CEA) of the Mayo/Roscommon/Longford Division.

The tables below, which were provided to me by the Garda authorities, sets out the number of Garda members assigned to Meath/Westmeath Division and Longford CEA by rank at the end of June 2024, the latest date for when figures broken down by Division, District/CEA and Station are available.