Written answers

Wednesday, 22 January 2025

Department of Justice and Equality

An Garda Síochána

Photo of Pa DalyPa Daly (Kerry, Sinn Fein)
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1048. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of juvenile liaison officers, by rank, attached to the Kerry Garda division in 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024 and to date in 2025, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1931/25]

Photo of Helen McEnteeHelen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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I am advised by the Garda authorities that at the end of October 2024, the latest date for when figures are available, there were 114 members of An Garda Síochána allocated to Juvenile Liaison Officer (JLO) duties across the State, not inclusive of personnel allocated to the Garda National Youth Diversion Bureau (GNYDB) at Garda Headquarters.

I am further advised by the Garda authorities that there are, as of end of October 2024 (the latest date for when figures are available) four JLOs of Garda rank assigned to Kerry Division. This number has remained unchanged since the end of December 2020 up to end October 2024. Please be advised that these figures are operational and may be subject to change.

I am further advised by the Garda authorities that JLOs are sworn members of An Garda Síochána and are appointed at Divisional level on full time JLO duties.

Photo of Pa DalyPa Daly (Kerry, Sinn Fein)
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1049. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of Gardaí in Kerry who have left the force in each year since 2020, in tabular form. [1932/25]

Photo of Pa DalyPa Daly (Kerry, Sinn Fein)
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1050. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of Gardaí, by county, who have left the force in each year since 2020, in tabular form. [1933/25]

Photo of Helen McEnteeHelen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy will appreciate, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of Garda business under the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended) and therefore, resource management is a matter for the Commissioner.

I am assured 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.

As of the end of December 2024 there were 14,191 Garda members assigned across the country. This represents an increase of almost 11% since 2015, when there were 12,816 Gardaí throughout the country.

As of the same date, there were 340 Garda members of all ranks assigned to Kerry Division. This represents an increase of over 13% since the end of December 2015.

In the interest of transparency, the number of Garda members nationwide at the end of December 2009 up to 31 October 2024 (the latest date available for figures) broken down by Division, District and Station are published on my Department's website.

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

The table below sets out the number of retirements and resignations in An Garda Síochána since the end of 2020 up to end December 2024. Please be advised that this information is operational and may be subject to change.

Year Retirements Resignations
2020 250 69
2021 293 95
2022 340 110
2023 319 171
2024 234 140
Total 1436 585

I am advised by the Garda authorities that the information requested by the Deputy in relation to the number of Gardaí in Kerry who have left the force in each year since 2020 could not be fully provided within the required timeframe.

The Government is committed to supporting Garda recruitment. In Budget 2025, over €2.48 billion has been allocated to An Garda Síochána. This is a 27% increase since 2020 and will allow for the sustained recruitment of new Garda recruits through the year.

For the Deputy’s information, detailed statistics relating to Garda Resignations and Retirements is publicly available and can be found in the Garda Commissioner reports to the Policing Authority on the Garda website at the following link:

Photo of Pa DalyPa Daly (Kerry, Sinn Fein)
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1051. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality to provide a breakdown of the number of Garda officers, by rank, attached to all Kerry Garda stations in 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024 and to date in 2025; the number of Garda officers who retired from Meath east Garda stations in the same period, in tabular form. [1934/25]

Photo of Helen McEnteeHelen 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.

The Government is committed to ensuring that An Garda Síochána has the resources it needs to fight crime and a strengthened, well-resourced Garda organisation is central to this policy. I was pleased to secure unprecedented funding of over €2.48 billion for this year, a 27% increase since 2020 which is supporting the continued recruitment of Garda members and staff.

The table below has been provided to me by the Garda authorities and outlines the number of Garda members assigned to Kerry Garda division in 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, and October 2024, the latest date figures are available.

Division 2020 2021 2022 2023 October 2024
Kerry 351 351 345 336 340

I am advised by the Garda authorities that the information requested by the Deputy in relation to the number of Gardaí in Kerry who have left the force could not be fully provided within the required timeframe.

In the interest of transparency, information in relation to 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 October from An Garda Síochána which have been published on the website.

For the Deputy’s information, detailed statistics relating to retirements are publicly available and can be found in the Garda Commissioner reports to the Policing Authority on the Garda website at the following link:

Photo of Pa DalyPa Daly (Kerry, Sinn Fein)
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1052. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if she has ever sought a review of the Garda resource allocation model to ensure a fair distribution of Gardaí across the State; if so, the date on which this was requested; the terms of the review and the date on which it was or will be completed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1935/25]

Photo of Helen McEnteeHelen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy will be aware, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána, including Garda resources. This includes the allocation of Garda members to a given Division, District or Station across the State. As Minister, I have no role in this process and cannot seek to direct the Commissioner in relation to same.

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.

While the Commissioner is responsible for the management of Garda resources, I am in regular contact with him to ensure that he has the resources needed to keep people safe. This commitment to supporting An Garda Síochána is reflected in the unprecedented allocation of €2.48 billion in Budget 2024, a 27% increase since 2020. This level of funding is allowing for sustained investment in recruitment, equipment and technology.

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