Written answers
Thursday, 15 May 2025
Department of Justice and Equality
An Garda Síochána
Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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167. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality given there were only 700 community gardaí in the State at the end of 2024, compared with 1,113 at the end of 2011, despite an increase in the population over the same period, what plans are in place to increase the number of community gardaí; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24761/25]
Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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Community policing is at the heart of An Garda Síochána and is something that all Garda members have a role in.
A member of An Garda Síochána is deemed to be a ‘Community Garda’ where that person is allocated to a Community Policing Team (CPT), and is responsible and accountable for applying a problem–solving approach to appropriate crime and policing quality-of-life issues in a specified geographic area through community partnership and engagement. Examples of this engagement are working with Neighbourhood Watch, Community Alert, or local business fora.
The Garda Commissioner keeps the distribution of resources under continual review and I will continue to engage regularly with him to ensure our Gardaí have the resources they need to keep our communities safe.
I am informed that when allocating Garda members to and from any Division or station, 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.
My priority is to get more Gardaí on our streets through increased recruitment and appropriate civilianisation where possible. Garda staff working alongside Garda members carry out vital roles to increase availability of frontline Gardaí. The civilianisation process has allowed 900 Gardaí to be freed up for frontline policing duties.
In February, the latest recruitment competition took place. It attracted just over 6,700 applicants. There will also be a further recruitment campaign later this year. The overall Garda workforce, which includes Gardaí, civilian staff and Reserves is close to the highest that it’s ever been at almost 18,000.
The Programme for Government commits to recruiting 5,000 Gardaí over five years, and training capacity will be increased during that time to ensure that figure of 5,000 is met over the five year term. 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.
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