Shane Moynihan (Dublin Mid West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

649. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality to outline the number of gardaí assigned, by rank, to each station in the Dublin metropolitan region. [25156/25]

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

The total Garda workforce is currently at its highest ever level, now over 18,200 people, comprising 14,257 members, 3,670 Staff and 316 Reserves, with a government commitment to fund the recruitment of at least 5,000 new Gardaí over the next five years.

In the interest of transparency, information in relation to the allocation of Gardaí by Division, Station and rank, including for each Garda station in the Dublin Metropolitan Region (DMR), is publicly available and can be found at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/publication/bd777-an-garda-siochana-your-police-service-some-facts-and-figures/.

The Deputy should access the file titled “Garda Members by Division District Station 2009 to 28 February 2025” for a breakdown of total Gardaí numbers by Garda station and by rank going back to 2009.

Duncan Smith (Dublin Fingal East, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

650. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality to provide a list of all new Garda stations opened in the last eight years by location, excluding renovations to existing Garda stations, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25219/25]

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

The Government is committed to building stronger, safer communities by strengthening An Garda Síochána, expanding resources, and modernising support to tackle crime.

Although the Garda Commissioner is legally responsible for the administration and management of An Garda Síochána, including the Garda Estate, I work closely with the Commissioner to ensure that An Garda Síochána has the necessary resources to combat crime.

The Garda Vote in Budget 2025 allocated unprecedented funding of over €2.48 billion for this year. The Commissioner continually reviews the distribution of these resources, and I engage regularly with him to ensure our Gardaí have the facilities and equipment to keep our communities safe.

The Office of Public Works is responsible for providing and maintaining Garda accommodation. Consequently, works related to Garda facilities are progressed by the Garda authorities in close cooperation with the OPW.

The table below outlines new Garda Stations which have been built in the previous eight years and excludes renovations to existing Garda stations, as requested by the Deputy.

Richard O'Donoghue (Limerick County, Independent Ireland Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context

651. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of hours training provided to student gardaí in relation to disability awareness training; the nature of this training; who provides the training to the students whilst in the Garda Training College and 'on the job' placements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25222/25]

Richard O'Donoghue (Limerick County, Independent Ireland Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context

652. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of current serving members of An Garda Síochána competent or proficient in the use of Irish Sign Language; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25223/25]

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

I propose to take Questions Nos. 651 and 652 together.

An Garda Síochána is a human rights focused police service and the rights of all people are central to their training.

I am advised by the Garda authorities that members of An Garda Síochána receive full training on potential discriminatory grounds, equality of treatment and ethical considerations. Each of these are also factored into the Garda Decision Making Model which is critical to all Garda training.

Trainee Gardaí are also exposed to problem-based learning that requires them to consider actions across a wide range of policing scenarios, including disability and other potential grounds for discrimination. The Foundation Training programme engages with subject matter experts internally, externally, in academia and in policing to support trainees in delivering a police service for all communities and all persons in a non-discriminatory way. These learnings are interwoven across the training programme and reinforce the community policing ethos of An Garda Síochána.

The Irish Sign Language Act 2017 came into operation in December 2020. This Act recognises the right of Irish Sign Language (ISL) users to use it as their native language. It confers a duty on all public bodies to provide ISL users with free interpretation when availing or seeking to access statutory entitlements and services at no cost to the person concerned. They must ensure interpretation is provided by an interpreter who is on the Register of ISL Interpreters.

I am advised that the Garda National Diversity and Integration Unit (GNDIU) operates under the Garda National Community Engagement Bureau. As a national office, GNDIU is responsible for monitoring, advising and co-ordinating on all aspects of diversity and integration from an external perspective. The GNDIU train, develop and support a network of Garda Diversity Officers around Ireland to actively engage with and attend to the concerns of minority and diverse communities, providing reassurance, building trust and extending the accessibility of the Garda Service.

I am advised that there are currently 536 Garda Diversity Officers nationwide. Their role includes overcoming communication barriers with those from diverse backgrounds through active engagement, open dialogue and collaboration. The list of Garda Diversity Officers is currently publicly available at www.garda.ie.

I am informed by An Garda Síochána that in recognising their obligations under the Irish Sign Language Act 2017, they have introduced a number of initiatives aimed at improving access to policing services by members of the deaf community.

Ahead of the commencement of the Act, pilot schemes for the provision of remote ISL translation services were run at Cabra and Tralee Garda Stations with the assistance of the Centre for Deaf Studies at Trinity College.

In 2023, HQ Directive 061/2023 was sent to all Garda Personnel. This instruction summarises the main provisions of the Act as they pertain to An Garda Síochána as a public body. The Directive requires each Garda Region to nominate a central point of contact to consult the Register of Irish Sign Language Interpreters to establish the identity and contact details of the ISL Interpreters that are available and can be contacted as required including to provide remote translation services.

An Garda Síochána have advised that they do not hold data regarding the number of Garda members that are competent or proficient in the use of Irish Sign Language.