Brian Stanley
Question:67. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the position on expanding community policing and increasing the number of community gardaí in the Laois-Offaly division. [15334/18]
View answerTuesday, 17 April 2018
Questions (67)
Written answers
The Deputy will appreciate that it is the Garda Commissioner and his management team who are responsible for the distribution of all Garda resources, including personnel, and I as Minister have no role in such matters. However, I am informed by the Garda authorities that as of 28 February 2018, the number of Gardaí assigned to the Laois/Offaly Division was 340. Since the reopening of the Garda College in September 2014, just under 1,800 recruits have attested as members of An Garda Síochána and have been assigned to mainstream duties nationwide including 76 to the Laois/Offaly Division.
Community policing, as the Deputy is well aware, is at the heart of An Garda Síochána and every Garda has a role to play in community policing.
In addition, the National Community Policing Office, attached to the Garda Community Relations Bureau, captures best practice in community policing initiatives and disseminates these practices through its communication network.
An Garda Síochána's Modernisation and Renewal Programme 2016-2021 places a strong emphasis on developing and supporting the community policing ethos of the organisation and enhancing the current delivery model so that Gardaí spend more time in the community, gaining public confidence and trust and providing a greater sense of security.
In terms of progress on this important initiative, I am informed by the Commissioner that a draft Community Policing Framework which outlines the manner in which Community Policing Teams and Community Safety Fora will be established has been completed and is subject to internal review before being approved by the Executive for implementation. The Commissioner anticipates that a number of Community Policing Teams will be established on a pilot basis this year.
In addition to an allocation of almost €100 million for Garda overtime to support anti-crime operations in 2018, the Government's Capital Plan 2016 – 2021 also provides for significant resourcing of An Garda Síochána. Some €46million was allocated for investment in the Garda fleet to ensure that An Garda Síochána has a modern, effective and fit for purpose fleet. This is in addition to the investment of almost €30 million in the fleet in the period 2013 to 2015. In total in the period 2013 to end of 2017 almost €44 million will have been invested in the fleet with some 2,000 vehicles coming on stream in that period.
Some €330 million, including €205 million under the Capital Plan, is being invested in Garda ICT infrastructure between 2016 and 2021. This major investment will allow An Garda Síochána to deploy the latest cutting edge technologies in the fight against crime and will facilitate progress on important reforms arising from the Garda Inspectorate's report on Crime Investigation.
Furthermore, the substantial increase in Garda numbers is tangible progress on achieving this Government’s vision of an overall Garda workforce of 21,000 personnel by 2021 comprising 15,000 Garda members, 2,000 Reserve members and 4,000 civilians. Policing in Laois/Offaly Division, and in all other areas, will undoubtedly benefit from the resources now coming on stream.