Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 30 May 2017
138. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality her plans for improving the Garda station in Donegal town; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26018/17]
View answer139. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality her plans to restore the Glenties district Garda station to its previous status; her further plans to restore Garda numbers in west Donegal; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26019/17]
View answer140. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of Garda cars currently available in the Donegal division; the way in which current Garda car numbers compare with those in 2011 to 2014; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26020/17]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 138 to 140, inclusive, together.
The Deputy will be aware that the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the distribution of resources among the various Garda Divisions and, as Minister, I have no direct role in the matter. Garda management keeps the distribution of resources under continual review in the context of crime trends and policing priorities so as to ensure that the optimum use is made of these resources.
The redevelopment of Donegal Garda Station is included in the Garda Building and Refurbishment Programme 2016-2021, which I launched in October 2015, and I understand from the Garda authorities that proposals to extend and upgrade the Station have now been agreed by An Garda Síochána. The OPW is currently progressing planning and tender documents and it is envisaged that a planning application will be lodged shortly, after which a six week consultation period is required. The tender for the works is expected to issue once planning permission has been granted. I further understand that the OPW is currently engaged in securing alternative accommodation for An Garda Síochána for the period during which the planned works are to be carried out.
In relation to Garda vehicles, I can inform the Deputy that ,between the years 2011 to 2014 the numbers of Garda vehicles in the Donegal Division fell from 71 to 60. However, as at 25 May 2017, the latest date for which figures are currently available, the number of Garda vehicles in the Division stands at 71. The recent increase in vehicle numbers is a consequence of the significant Government investment in the Garda fleet. As the Deputy will be aware, some €46 million is being invested in the Fleet over the lifetime of the Capital Plan 2016-2021. The actual expenditure in new and replacement vehicles over the period 2013 to 2016 was in the region of €40 million. This works out at average expenditure of €10 million per annum compared to an average of €1.6 million over the three year period 2009 to 2011 for example.
I have been advised by the Commissioner that as of the 31 March 2017 there were 378 Garda with 20 Garda Reserves and 31 civilians attached to the Donegal Division. When appropriate, the work of local Gardaí is supported by a number of Garda national units such as the National Bureau of Criminal Investigation, the Garda National Economic Crime Bureau, and the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau.
The Deputy will also be aware that the Garda Síochána Inspectorate, at the request of the Policing Authority, is carrying out a review of the dispersal and use of resources available to An Garda Síochána in the delivery of policing services to local communities. The Authority has informed the Inspectorate that the review should take account of:
- the changing environments in rural, developing urban and suburban areas;
- the views of local communities;
- the allocation to and deployment of Garda resources at the local policing level, including the use of the Garda Reserve, Garda facilities and Garda equipment; and
- relevant recommendations made in previous Inspectorate reports.
The review will be comprehensive including a consultative process with local communities. It is the view of the Garda Síochána Inspectorate that the review should be completed within the first half of 2018.
This Government is committed to ensuring a strong and visible police presence throughout the country in order to maintain and strengthen community engagement, provide reassurance to citizens and deter crime. To make this a reality for all, the Government has in place a plan to achieve an overall Garda workforce of 21,000 personnel by 2021 comprising 15,000 Garda members, 2,000 Reserve members and 4,000 civilians. In 2017, funding has been provided for the recruitment of 800 Garda recruits and up to 500 civilians to support the wide ranging reform plan in train in An Garda Síochána. Funding has also been provided for the recruitment of 300 Garda Reserves.
This plan is progressing apace. I am informed by the Commissioner that, since the reopening of the Garda College in September 2014, 17 newly-attested recruits were assigned to the Donegal Division. I am also informed that another 600 trainee Garda are scheduled to attest this year which will see Garda numbers, taking account of projected retirements, increase to around the 13,500 mark by year end - an increase of 500 since the end of 2016.
This focus on investment in personnel is critical. The moratorium on recruitment introduced in 2010 resulted in a significant reduction in the strength of An Garda Síochána. We are now rebuilding the organisation and providing the Commissioner with the resources she needs to allow her to deploy increasing numbers of Gardaí including Community Gardaí across every Garda Division, including the Donegal Division, in the coming years. To ensure a continuous pipeline of candidates a new recruitment drive was launched by the Commissioner earlier this month with a closing date of 1 June. The competition is being undertaken by the Public Appointment Service on behalf of the Commissioner and applications should be made to www.publicjobs.ie.
