Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 3 July 2012
519 Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of gardaí stationed in the Galway Garda division on 31 May 2008; the number of gardaí stationed in the Galway Garda division on 31 May 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32322/12]
View answer520 Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of community gardaí on the beat in the Galway Garda division on 31 May 2010; the number of community gardaí on the beat in the Galway Garda division on 31 May 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32323/12]
View answer521 Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of vacancies currently in all ranks of An Garda in the Galway Garda division; the number of gardaí at all ranks in the Galway Garda division that are expected to retire in the next twelve months; his plans to commence a recruitment process for gardaí; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32324/12]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 519 to 521, inclusive, together.
The Deputy will be aware that the Commissioner is responsible for the detailed allocation of resources, including personnel, throughout the organisation and I have no function in the matter. This allocation of resources is constantly monitored in the context of crime trends, policing needs and other operational strategies in place on a District, Divisional and Regional level to ensure optimum use is made of Garda resources and the best possible Garda service is provided to the public.
I have been informed by the Garda Commissioner that the personnel strength of the Galway Garda Division and the Community Gardaí in that Division on 31 May 2008, 2010 and 2012 was as set out in the table hereunder:
|
31/05/08 |
31/05/10 |
31/05/12 |
|
|
Garda Strength |
541 |
602 |
582 |
|
Community Gardaí |
18 |
20 |
20 |
Since 1 January 2012 to 29 June 2012 a total of 11 members of An Garda Síochána retired from the Galway Garda Division on a voluntary and compulsory basis. There are no other members of An Garda Síochána in the Galway Garda Division who have yet applied to voluntarily retire, or who must retire on a compulsory basis for the next 12 months.
The moratorium on recruitment remains in place, as the objective set out in agreement with the EU and the IMF is to reduce the numbers of public servants. What will ultimately determine the sustainable level of Garda numbers, and therefore establish when recruitment will recommence, is the level of budgetary provision that can be made for the Force. The Government are conscious that difficult decisions will continue to have to be made, right across the public sector, in order to bring our public finances back into balance.
