Written answers

Thursday, 13 February 2025

Department of Justice and Equality

An Garda Síochána

Photo of Cathal CroweCathal Crowe (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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250. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of superintendents in each Garda division in the southern region. [5302/25]

Photo of Cathal CroweCathal Crowe (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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251. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality in cases in which a Garda division in the southern region includes more than one county; and the details of which station or specific geographic area that superintendents are based in. [5303/25]

Photo of Jim O'CallaghanJim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 250 and 251 together.

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. The Garda Vote in Budget 2025 saw 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.

While the Garda Commissioner is operationally responsible for the allocation of Garda resources, I look forward to engaging regularly with him to ensure our Gardaí have the resources they need. I am informed that when allocating and transferring Garda members to and from any Division, consideration is given to commitments and undertakings outlined in the Annual Policing Plan and priorities as determined in delivering ‘A Policing Service for The Future’.

I understand that the requirements of all Garda Divisions nationwide are also taken into account, which include:

  • Local and national crime trends and workloads;
  • Policing arrangements and operational strategies;
  • Minimum establishment statistics;
  • Local population and trends, geographical area and size;
  • Transfer applications, including welfare, personnel issues and concerns.
I am advised by the Garda authorities that as of 31 December 2024, there was a total of 14,191 Garda members nationwide.

The table below, which was provided to me by the Garda authorities, sets out the number of Garda Superintendents assigned to the Southern Region on 31 December 2024. Please be advised that this information is operational and may be subject to change.
Division Total Garda Superintendents
Clare/Tipperary 6
Cork City 6
Cork County 5
Kerry 3
Limerick 6
Under the Garda Operating Model Cork North Division and Cork West Division have merged to form Cork County Division and Clare Division has merged with Tipperary Division to form Clare/Tipperary Division.

The Garda Operating Model was introduced after recommendations from the Garda Síochána Inspectorate, the Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland, and based on feedback from Gardaí at all ranks. Under this new structure, each Division is organised into four Functional Areas: Community Engagement, Crime, Performance Assurance, and Business Services.

The Operational Model was designed to deliver a consistent policing service in a rapidly changing society and crime environment. It also provides for greater community engagement, and the delivery of more specialised services at local level.

In the interest of transparency, information in relation to the allocation of Gardaí by Division and Station up to the end of 2024 is publicly available and can be found at the following link:

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Photo of Cathal CroweCathal Crowe (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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252. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if information (details supplied) will be provided in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5304/25]

Photo of Jim O'CallaghanJim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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Under the Garda Síochána Act 2005, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána. This includes the distribution of resources, in the Garda fleet, across the various Garda Divisions and National/Specialist Units. As Minister, I have no direct role in this matter.

The Government is committed to providing An Garda Síochána with the resources needed to keep people safe. This is reflected in the unprecedented allocation of over €2.48 billion in Budget 2025. This is allowing for sustained investment in recruitment, equipment, technology, and vehicles.

I am informed by the Garda authorities that, at the end of January 2025, there were 3,628 vehicles attached to the Garda fleet, the highest total of vehicles ever in use by An Garda Síochána. This represents an increase of over 16% since the end of December 2020.

The attached table, which was provided to me by the Garda authorities, sets out the number and type of vehicles attached to the Garda fleet in the southern region by County at the end of January 2025.

An Garda Síochána publishes information on the Garda fleet, including a Divisional/District monthly breakdown, on their website at: .

Photo of Pa DalyPa Daly (Kerry, Sinn Fein)
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254. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of Gardaí in the roads policing unit in each of the years 2010 to date, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5320/25]

Photo of Jim O'CallaghanJim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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Road safety is a shared responsibility, and while the whole of Government response is led by the Department of Transport, it is one which is taken very seriously across Government.

Road traffic laws are enforced by both Roads Policing Gardaí and as part of the day-to-day duties of uniformed Gardaí nationwide. This includes a programme of high-visibility road safety and enforcement operations carried out in partnership with other state agencies. The Commissioner has also directed that all uniform Garda members are to be deployed on high visibility roads policing operations, of 30 minutes duration, in each tour of duty.

I am advised that as of 31 December 2024, the latest date for when figures are available, there were 627 Roads Policing Gardaí assigned across all Divisions.

Funding provided by the Government under Budget 2025 allows for the recruitment of new Gardaí, which will increase the number of frontline Gardaí available to the Garda Commissioner to allocate as he deems appropriate. It is expected that it will soon be possible to allocate more members to the Roads Policing units.

In the interest of transparency, information in relation to the allocation of Gardaí by Division and Station from 2009 up to the end of 2024, including a breakdown of the number of Gardaí assigned to Roads Policing, is publicly available and can be found at the following link:

Please be advised that this information is operational and may be subject to change.

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