Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 17 October 2023
404. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice if the budget provided by her Department is adequate to meet the ongoing challenges of crime prevention and policing; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45304/23]
View answerMy top priority is building stronger, safer communities and that is reflected in the budget allocation of €2.31 billion announced last week for An Garda Síochána, which has grown considerably since I took office in 2020. This unprecedented budget will strengthen the work of An Garda Síochána and the criminal justice sector to prevent and detect crime and protect communities.
The best way we can strengthen policing is by supporting additional recruitment into An Garda Síochána. We will continue to provide An Garda Síochána with the resources it needs to ensure communities around Ireland are safe and feel safe and the Budget 2024 allocation will allow for between 800 and 1000 more Gardaí recruits next year.
The additional funding made available by the Government in Budget 2024 will provide for a 66% increase in the allowance payable to Garda trainees to €305. In addition, an almost 25% increase in the overtime budget for An Garda Síochána will support high visibility policing to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour.
The record budgetary resources allocated to An Garda Síochána in recent years has also enabled the Garda Commissioner to assign extra resources to the specialist units involved in tackling organised crime, including the Armed Support Unit, GNDOCB, the National Bureau of Criminal Investigation.
As the Deputy will be aware, protecting our citizens is much wider than policing and I want to empower communities to have a say in matters relating to their own safety. In 2024, total funding of €7.9m will create a new National Office for Community Safety, and roll out Community Safety Partnerships to plan the community’s own safety priorities in every area of the country.
I am also really pleased that the Community Safety Innovation Fund, which reinvests the proceeds of crime as seized by the Criminal Assets Bureau, has been increased to €3.75m. Grants are awarded under this fund to organisations or community groups that have innovative proposals to improve community safety and have not been able to access other sources of funding.
