Written answers

Tuesday, 29 April 2025

Department of Justice and Equality

An Garda Síochána

Photo of Liam QuaideLiam Quaide (Cork East, Social Democrats)
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1644. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of Garda juvenile liaison officers based in Cork county Garda division. [21029/25]

Photo of Jim O'CallaghanJim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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Juvenile Liaison Officers (JLOs) are sworn members of An Garda Síochána and are appointed at Divisional level on full time JLO duties.

The Garda National Youth Diversion Bureau has responsibility for the selection, training, support and ongoing liaison with a network of Juvenile Liaison Officers in every Garda Community Engagement Area.

I am advised by the Garda authorities that, as of 28 February 2025 (the latest date for which figures are available) there were 5 JLOs based in Cork county division who are tasked with supporting the Director in the administration, consideration as to suitability, caution, monitoring and implementation of the Youth Diversion Programme.

In the interest of transparency, figures related to the Garda workforce are published on my Department's website. This information is supplied by An Garda Síochána, is operational and subject to change. These figures are regularly updated by my Department, upon receipt of the information from the Garda authorities.

www.gov.ie/en/publication/bd777-an-garda-siochana-your-police-service-some-facts-and-figures/

Photo of Liam QuaideLiam Quaide (Cork East, Social Democrats)
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1645. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if he will ensure sufficient resources are available to allow Youghal Garda station in County Cork to have a 24-7 Garda presence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21039/25]

Photo of Jim O'CallaghanJim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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I am 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.

Under the Policing, Security and Community Safety Act 2024, 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.

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 that as of 28 February 2025, the latest date for when figures are available, there were 19 Garda members assigned to Youghal Station and 1 Garda Staff member.

The Deputy may be interested to know that An Garda Síochána do not police on a station basis, but rather on a Divisional basis and see stations as locations within communities for people to attend, and for resources to be accommodated. Policing for an area will be delivered using all resources in a Community Engagement area and supported by Divisional resources and units.

Photo of Liam QuaideLiam Quaide (Cork East, Social Democrats)
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1646. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if his Department maintains any guidelines around Garda resource allocation for towns based on population size; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21040/25]

Photo of Jim O'CallaghanJim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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Under the Policing, Security and Community Safety Act 2024, 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.

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.
The Deputy may be interested to know that An Garda Síochána don’t police on a station basis, but rather on a Divisional basis and see stations as locations within communities for people to attend, and for resources to be accommodated. Policing for an area will be delivered using all resources in a Community Engagement area and supported by Divisional resources and units.

Photo of Eoghan KennyEoghan Kenny (Cork North-Central, Labour)
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1647. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of Garda cars allocated to Carrigaline Garda station in 2024 and to date in 2025, and the units assigned to same, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21045/25]

Photo of Jim O'CallaghanJim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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Under Section 33 of the Policing, Security and Community Safety Act 2024, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána. This includes the distribution of resources, including the Garda fleet, across the various Garda Divisions and National/Specialist Units.

I am informed by the Garda authorities that as of 31 March 2025, the most recent figures available, there were 3,662 vehicles attached to the Garda fleet, the highest total of vehicles ever in use by An Garda Síochána. This represents an increase of over 17% since the end of December 2020.

An Garda Síochána employ a divisional model and do not police on a station by station basis. 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.

Carrigaline Garda Station is located in the Togher District of the Cork City Division. The number of Garda cars allocated to the Togher District as of 31 March 2025 is 23. This includes 15 unmarked cars and 8 marked cars. This is an increase on the 2024 figure of 22 which included 14 unmarked cars and 8 marked cars.

An Garda Síochána publishes detailed information on the Garda fleet from 2008 to date, including a Divisional/District monthly breakdown. The monthly Fleet reports are currently available from 2020 to February 2025. This is publicly available on their website at the following link:

www.garda.ie/en/about-us/our-departments/finance-services/finance-fleet-management.html

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