Written answers
Tuesday, 20 May 2025
Department of Justice and Equality
An Garda Síochána
Paul Lawless (Mayo, Aontú)
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672. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality to confirm the current Garda numbers at Westport and Claremorris Garda stations, given their frequent role in covering calls for Castlebar. [25437/25]
Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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While the Garda Commissioner is operationally responsible for the allocation of Garda resources, I engage 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.
At the end of April 2025 there were 31 vehicles assigned to Claremorris and 10 to Westport. Those vehicle numbers have risen from 23 vehicles in Claremorris in December 2020 and 7 in Westport at that same time.
It is worth noting 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.
In the interest of transparency, information in relation to the allocation of Gardaí by Division and Station 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/
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