Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 5 July 2017
133. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he has given consideration to provide additional garda resources to Ballymun in view of increased anti-social activity in the area. [31620/17]
View answer134. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of gardaí assigned to the Ballymun station in 1997, 2007 and 2017, respectively, in tabular form. [31621/17]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 133 and 134 together.
As the Deputy will appreciate, it is the Garda Commissioner who is responsible for the distribution of resources, including personnel, among the various Garda Divisions and I, as Minister, have no direct role in the matter. Garda management keeps this 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.
I am informed by the Commissioner that in regard to the deployment of Garda personnel, a distribution model is used which takes into account all relevant factors including population, crime trends and the policing needs of each individual Garda Division. It is the responsibility of the Divisional Officer to allocate personnel within his/her Division.
The area referred to by the Deputy forms part of the Dublin Metropolitan Region (DMR) North Division. I have been informed that the number of Gardaí assigned to the Division on the 31 May 2017, the latest date for which figures are readily available, was 664 with 49 Garda Reserves and 40 Civilians also attached to the Division. Of the Gardaí, 216 were assigned to Ballymun District with 115 in Ballymun Station.
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. This year, 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, since the reopening of the Garda College in September 2014, that almost 1,000 recruits have attested as members of An Garda Síochána and have been assigned to mainstream duties nationwide, 75 of whom have been assigned to the DMR North Division. I am also informed that another 200 trainee Garda will attest this Thursday 6 July and that a further four hundred are scheduled to attest later 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 across every Garda Division, including the DMR North Division in the coming years.
An Garda Síochána is committed to tackling public disorder and anti-social behaviour by working with communities to reduce this type of behaviour and enhance community safety. The Garda approach includes a strong focus on quality of life issues and collaboration with local authorities, businesses (in particular the night time economy) and other stakeholders to help address the causes of anti-social behaviour.
The Deputy will also be aware that there is a range of strong legislative provisions available to An Garda Síochána to combat anti-social behaviour, including provisions under the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Acts, the Criminal Damage Act and the Intoxicating Liquor Acts. The powers available to Gardaí support them in addressing anti-social behaviours, including the prevention of nuisance or annoyance to others and forestalling damage to property or a breach of the peace.
For ease of reference, I have provided below the information requested in relation to the number Gardaí assigned to Ballymun Garda Station in each of the years 1997, 2007 and 2017, as supplied by the Commissioner.
Ballymun Garda Station Strength
|
Station |
1997 |
2007 |
2017* |
|
Ballymun |
57 |
75 |
115 |
*Up to 31 May 2017
