Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, Solidarity)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

283. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of civilian staff recruited under the An Garda Síochána civilianisation programme since 2008; the number of gardaí who have been put on the beat on foot of this programme since 2008; the cost of the civilianisation programme each year since 2008; and the number of gardaí sitting at desks as of 29 January 2025. [6829/25]

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána. This includes all operational policing matters. As Minister, I have no role in these matters and cannot seek to direct the Commissioner in relation to such.

There has been a major increase in Garda staff numbers over the last ten years where the number of whole-time equivalents has increased from approximately 2,000 to 3,500, a 75% increase. Over this time, these additional staff have provided expertise in support of the investigation of crime and freed up 900 Gardaí for deployment to frontline duties. This proportion of civilian staff to sworn members is still relatively low by international standards and I look forward to further civilianisation and greater professional expertise in key areas.

In January of this year, the nationwide transfer of immigration registration functions from An Garda Síochána to my Department completes the full civilianisation of the Garda administrative immigration functions.

Prior to this transfer, over 100 Gardaí were assigned to immigration duties. The release of these Gardaí now enables Garda management to focus resources more on enforcement and operational matters such as deportations and investigations.

Work is ongoing in my Department to progress the other recommendations contained in the 2018 report of the Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland (COFPI), working in conjunction with An Garda Síochána and other Departments and Agencies.

The Commission also recommended that Garda staff be recruited directly to An Garda Síochána as public servants, rather than to the Civil Service. A central tenet of the report was that An Garda Síochána should be seen and treated as a single organisation with a single workforce sharing a common mission. It found that more integrated workforce structures would help to leverage the different skills and perspectives of Gardaí and Garda staff and thereby to contribute to enhancing the capacity of the organisation to deliver better policing outcomes.

It is for this reason that the Policing, Security and Community Safety Act 2024 provides that Garda staff will in future be recruited and appointed by the Garda Commissioner as public servants.

The total Garda workforce, including Reserves is currently over 18,000.

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

284. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of Garda cars and motorcycles attached to the Dublin metropolitan region west roads policing unit as of February 2025; and if he will provide the corresponding figure as of 31 December 2021, in tabular form. [6851/25]

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

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, including 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.

I am also advised that as of the same date, there were 120 vehicles attached to the DMR West, which includes 98 cars, 15 vans, 2 motorcycles and 5 others (The category others refers to vehicles not classified as cars, vans, motorcycles or 4x4, such as prisoner conveyance vehicles).

The table below, which was provided to me by the Garda authorities, sets out the number of cars and motorbikes attached to the Roads Policing Unit in the DMR West at the end of December 2021 and on the 31 January 2025.

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

285. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of Garda mountain bikes attached to the Garda K district as of 31 January 2025. [6852/25]

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Under the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána, including the purchase, allocation, and effective and efficient use of Garda equipment. As Minister, I play no role in these independent functions.

Garda Management was unable to furnish me with the requested figures in the allowed timeframe. However, my Department has been advised by the Garda authorities that the table below sets out the number of mountain bikes allocated to each Garda division in 2024. Please be advised that this information is operational and may be subject to change.