The Garda Síochána Act 2005 makes provision for the compilation and publication of crime statistics by the Central Statistics Office (CSO), as the national statistical agency, and the CSO has established a dedicated unit for this purpose.
I have requested the CSO to provide statistics directly to the Deputy.
The personnel strength, by rank, of the Meath Garda Division as at 31 December 2009 - 2012 and 31 January 2013 is as set out in the table below:
Rank
|
2009
|
2010
|
2011
|
2012
|
2013
|
Chief Superintendent
|
1
|
1
|
1
|
1
|
1
|
Superintendent
|
4
|
5
|
5
|
3
|
3
|
Inspector
|
5
|
5
|
5
|
4
|
4
|
Sergeant
|
44
|
48
|
44
|
43
|
43
|
Garda
|
261
|
254
|
247
|
245
|
244
|
TOTAL
|
315
|
313
|
302
|
296
|
295
|
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 direct 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.