John Lahart (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
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119. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality to provide an update on the Garda numbers of Tallaght and Rathfarnham Garda stations, for the years 2023, 2024 and 2025, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12943/25]

Colm Brophy (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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This 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 has unprecedented funding of over €2.48 billion, a 27% increase since 2020 which is supporting the continuing recruitment of Garda members and staff. I am delighted to note the recent response to the Garda recruitment competition. As the Deputy may be aware, 149 new Gardaí passed out of Templemore on 7 March and 201 new recruits entered training earlier this month.

The Garda Commissioner and his senior management team keep the distribution of resources under ongoing review and I understand 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.

I know the Deputy will appreciate that the requirements of all Garda Divisions nationwide must be 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; and

Transfer applications, including welfare, personnel issues and concerns.

I am informed that, as of 31 January 2025 the latest date for which figures are available, the total Garda workforce is almost 18,000, the highest ever level. Additionally all Garda members now carry mobile devices with real-time access to apps which eliminate paperwork and allow Gardaí to carry out their frontline duties far more efficiently. Mobility apps allow Gardaí to access their email on the move, check a vehicle’s history and tax status, and enables them to work more efficiently with local business and community groups.

The number of Gardaí assigned to Tallaght Garda station for the years 2023, 2024 and on 31 January 2025 were: 231, 233, 228, respectively. The number of Gardaí assigned to Rathfarnham station for the years 2023, 2024 and on 31 January last were 41, 43, 44, respectively. At the same date there was one member of Garda civilian staff assigned to Rathfarnham, and 44 Garda staff assigned to Tallaght Garda station.

Garda staff work alongside Garda members to carry out vital roles in the organisation to increase availability of Gardaí to focus on frontline duties. The civilianisation process has allowed 900 highly trained Gardaí to be freed up to increase Garda visibility and capacity.

It is also worth noting that An Garda Síochána police the country on a divisional-wide basis, viewing their station buildings as locations within communities where the public can attend, and where resources are based but not constrained within. I am assured that policing for an area is delivered using all the resources in a particular Community Engagement area, supported by both divisional and national resources and units, as appropriate.

James O'Connor (Cork East, Fianna Fail)
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121. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if he expects to see an increase in the number of gardaí assigned to stations in the Midleton, Fermoy and Mallow districts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12858/25]

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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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. As Minister I have no role in this process and cannot seek to direct the Commissioner in relation to this matter.

I am assured by the Garda Commissioner that the allocation of Garda members is kept under continued review to ensure their optimum use. Among the factors considered are crime trends, population stats and operational policing demands.

I am advised by the Garda authorities that as of 31 January, the latest date for which figures are published, there are 98 Gardaí assigned to Fermoy, 121 Gardaí assigned to Mallow and 114 Gardaí assigned to Midleton.

I can assure the Deputy that this Government will be resolute in its support of Gardaí. We want to build safe and secure communities, and a well-resourced policing service is critical to achieving that. In Budget 2025, an unprecedented sum of €2.48 billion has been allocated which is allowing for sustained investment in recruitment, technology and equipment.

My first priority as Minister for Justice is to get more Gardaí out on our streets, including through increased recruitment. Earlier this month 201 trainee Gardaí entered Templemore, the largest intake since 2019. I was privileged to bear witness to 149 new recruits passing out of Templemore on 7 March last. The latest Garda recruitment campaign took place last month and I am delighted to note it attracted just over 6,700 applications. This shows there is still a huge interest in a career with An Garda Síochána and a second recruitment campaign will be held later this year.

I will also shortly be seeking Government approval to bring forward a Bill which will support greater Garda visibility by reducing the amount of time Gardai have to spend on court-related matters. The Miscellaneous Provisions Bill has the potential to significantly reduce time and resources Gardaí must spend on bringing persons in their custody to the courts, as well as Garda time spent in the court itself. This reflects our continued commitment to getting more Gardaí out of administrative roles and onto our streets.

A number of significant measures have already been taken to increase Garda recruitment and we can already see the positive effects which these measures are having. I can assure the Deputy that nothing is off the table and I will continue to work with the Garda Commissioner and his team to deliver on our targets of recruiting 5,000 Gardaí over the next five years. As we see more people join the organisation, we will see more Gardaí on the streets of towns and villages across the country.