Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 13 October 2015
163. Deputy Seán Kenny asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of gardaí in each community policing unit in each Garda district in Dublin, by rank, for the years 2013 and 2014; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35265/15]
View answerAs the Deputy will appreciate, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the distribution of personnel, including Community Gardaí, among the Garda Regions, Divisions, and Districts. Garda management keep this distribution under continual review in the context of crime trends and policing priorities so as to ensure that the best possible use is made of resources.
It is, of course, the case that all Gardaí have a role to play in addressing community policing issues as and when the need arises. In that sense, community policing involves far more than a single unit within An Garda Síochána, a point highlighted by the Garda Inspectorate in their third report entitled "Policing in Ireland—Looking Forward" in which they stated that community policing is a fundamental policing philosophy and that there is a strong foundation for it in Ireland.
An Garda Síochána now operates a new model of Community Policing which aims to build upon and enhance progress made so far. I fully support this renewed emphasis on Community Policing particularly in light of the priority given to this in the Programme for Government. The model is about renewing, reinvigorating and restructuring the community policing function within An Garda Síochána to deliver a consistent national structure to the community policing function, a more co-ordinated and efficient Garda service to the community and a spread of good practice and quality of service in community policing on a national basis.
The information requested regarding the number of Gardaí by rank in each Community Policing Unit in each Garda District in Dublin for the years 2013 and 2014 is currently being compiled and will be forwarded to the Deputy in due course.
